Basterds, lovers and performers

I thought I would have a lot of free time to watch new movies and write about them, but actually I was really busy this past days. I feel like I'm not giving enough attention to this blog so to compensate my absence, today I'll write about 3 movies (:

First let's talk about the 'Basterds'.

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Cast: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth & Diane Kruger.

Tarantino. Where to start with this guy? So everyone is applauding "Inglourious Basterds"(2009) and I think its fair given its original twist on the World War II. The acting is superb and so the directing and Cinematography. One of the most amazing performances of 2009 is given by Cristoph Watlz who portrays an 'evil' Colonel -evil augmented only with his immense intelligence, making him the most interesting tenacious character on this film- embarked on a Jew hunt. Up to here the story is pretty the same as the actual history. The major twist comes when a rebel militia formed by American-Jews, -self-proclaimed "The Bastards"- start tormenting the Nazis and seek the fall of the Third Reich regime and its leader, Adolf Hitler.
Amazing huh? Well yes, personally I loved the movie, which only seeks perfection in the genius sick way that only Tarantino could envision.
But, yeah there's a but, there's something that kind of got my attention -even if just a little- the film is original when it comes of changing history if not for being daring and actually succeeding, the thing is that if you know Tarantino's movies, you'll be able to see that most of his past awesome characters are in this movie but with some differences and some of them further developed, a clear obvious example is Shoshana seeking revenge just as The Bride did in the two volumes of Kill Bill. Don't get me wrong I thought the characters were magnificent, I'm only making an observation here.
This movie I'd recommend to all of you. It accomplishes all -and I think that even more- that Tarantino wanted for this movie. It seems to me that finally he has reinvented himself still on his own gory style but in a manner that only he would achieve as he did with "Pulp Fiction".
Note:This movie also follows the tradition of great picks by Quentin for the soundtrack.

Now let's take a little trip to the city of New York and meet two lovers.


Director: James Gray
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw.

Now if you're seeking drama, this is perfect for you. "Two Lovers"(2008) is about Leonard who after breaking up with his bride-to-be tries to commit suicide but fails resulting on him to move with his parents so they can keep an eye on him. Being a depressing character in a rather grey city the movie can seem slow, but still has a lot to give. Leonard meets two girls, Michelle a party girl and Sandra and awkward pretty girl. While Sandra is more likely to understand Leonard he's blown away by Michelle but her being a people person just likes him for he's good company. After being with the two of them Leonard is stranded on a junction, he'll have to choose and most important of all he needs to be chosen in order to finally settle in life and not be always hanging in between life and death.
I personally liked this movie really much, an Indie film that gets to the best of us and that explores a character so wonderfully portrayed by Joaquin.
Life is observed as it is, the language is not fixed as to reach one side of the public or another and the simplicity of its plot is developed in a way that disguises it as more complex and unique.

Now back to Europe! Musical time it is.


Director: Christophe Barratier
Cast: Gérard Jugnot, Clovis Cornillac, Kad Merad and Nora Arnezeder.

"Paris 36"-Faubourg 36 (2008)- brings us a town, its theatre and its people. 'La Chansonia' is the local theatre, the heart of the town and the home of its entertainers. At the beginning of the movie 'La Chansonia' closes its doors because the owner had serious debts with the local Mafia's boss Galapiat who, after becoming the new proprietor closes its doors thinking it useless.
The actors then are left without a job and our main character Pigoil-besides facing unemployment- discovers that his wife is unfaithful.
Later on the townsfolk try to revive the theatre by cleaning it and by making up a whole new act, discovering newcomer Douce a beautiful girl with an amazing voice.
The film's enjoyable in very different levels, its plot's entertaining although at some points it feels a little bit not original or seen before, the ending's somewhat predictable but still the songs are great and acting as well.
Note: I really think Barratier gave far more spirit to his previous film: "Les Choristes" but still I recommend this one too.

This is all for today, I hope to be back soon.