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.

A little bit of Music

Movies involving a little music.

Director: Jane Campion
Cast: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neil and Anna Paquin

I've been a little busy lately but still I had the time to watch this movie, which I had never seen before: "The Piano"(1993).
From Jane Campion comes this story about a mute woman and her daughter who move to an Island in New Zealand because of an arranged marriage.
Ada is the leading character played by Holly Hunter -role that I think is the best one of her career- and she's mute, not by born but still. The story revolves -even if only at decisive points- around the piano. Both life and relationships in the movie change and so the tune of the melodies played with the piano.
Arriving to their new home, the piano is given away by her new husband having somewhat "fatal" consequences.
The screenplay is wonderfully written, the direction superb and the main performances are more than fair to the film.

Director: Kay Pollak
Cast: Michael Nyqvist, Frida Hallgren and Helen Sjöholm.

Now let's travel to Sweden. "As it is in Heaven"-Så som i Himmelen (2004)- tells the story of successful conductor whom after a heart attack decides to put his career at a rest.
This will result on him returning to his childhood hometown in Sweden after being on international tours.
His life here will go on slowly, he'll be lonely at first and he'll be the outsider. After a while -for all knew his name and international fame- the local church chorus will ask him to coach them vocally, which is the moment where the movie really takes off.
From here all the lives of the people involved in the chorus will be looked at directly and we'll presence how they interact with each other and how they behave in the rehearsals and in life.
While the story is flowing we enjoy some musical bits and one of the greatest songs written for a movie of 2004 "Gabriellas Sång".
I have to say, the ending for some will be ok and for others it'll be more than perfect, truth is if you payed attention carefully throughout the movie you'll be able to enjoy more the ending.

Dreamers with money

Well, today I've decided to write about two movies with plots that are simple yet interesting to watch and/or analyze.

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Cast: Michael Pitt, Eva Green and Louis Garrel.

First, Bernardo Bertolucci's "The dreamers"(2003). This films carries divided opinions on its shoulders. The main reason this happens is that while it is staged in 1968 Paris it doesn't make a clear statement nor gives its point of view on the students' strikes. The revolt is not treated predominantly but however it is seen obliquely.
Being that said, now we understand that Bertolucci wanted to expose other subjects like youth, innocence, and sexual awakening and focus on this by putting it in a house and shut the doors to decrease distractions but leaving windows open to have the context present -1968- and juxtaposed to the characters' development mainly to show how some people reacted to the movement and others lived in their own world dueling with insecurity and feeling of being different to a group of people and how in the end we're all together even if we try to shut us away from the world.
The plot begins with Matthew being an exchange student in Paris and fervent movie follower. Going to watch movies at the cinema he meets incestuous twins Theo and Isabelle whom are extremely opposite to him -him being raised a conservative and they being very liberal- but are drawn to him for his passion for films which they share.
They become best friends, debate about movies and characters -Chaplin vs. Keaton-, play trivia and recreate famous scenes. Soon the twins' parents go away on a trip leaving the house all to themselves who invite Matt to stay with them for the time their parents are away.
This is when, as it is said, the plot thickens but in a very subtle way. At first sight it'll look plain and lacking of good dialogue but analyzing it you'll discover its subtleness.
When locking themselves up in the house is when the "dream" begins and all the ideas, personal discovering and love take place.
Having both nudity, incest and explicit scenes, it could be uncomfortable to watch for some but great for film appreciators specially those who want to see how the dream breaks into reality, 1968's reality.

Now we go to another time to talk about rich spoiled people.



Director: Douglas Sirk
Cast: Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone.

This movie is a bit commercial compared to the previous one on this post, but lets remember that commercial pictures back then had higher standards as to quality -most of the times- so I want to talk about this one.
"Written on the Wind"(1956) follows two characters Mitch Wayne and his best friend Kyle Hadley a playboy heir of one of the biggest oil companies.
Storyline is simple, boy falls for girl, girl marries his best friend and... well I'm not going to tell you the end but I post it here because it seemed to me a bit interesting.
While watching "Written on..." I couldn't help but to think on "Sunset Blvd."(1950) mainly because of the plot is centered in the high society and on how some actions can lead to tragedy such as those based on jealousy and also because the main scene presents the tragic ending.
The movie is entertaining also for its other two characters Kyle's nymphomaniac sister and his wife -yes, the one Mitch is in love with-. Now this may not sound too appealing and strike you as soap opera-ish but the interesting thing about is that it shows the effects of living in excess -for an inside look in alcoholism I'd recommend you "The Lost Weekend"(1945) one of the first to show it- and the consequences to ones actions. (:

Rewound: A fragmented film collection

Day to day I like to write reviews of the films that I watch. The past few days I kept wondering how it would be to write them down on a blog. Today I made my decision to create one and here I am. The title of this post means that this blog would not be complete in terms of reviewing all movies out there but that it would be mostly of films I've watched or admire meaning art films, old films and all that oscar-ish stuff I love so much.
The title I gave the blog alludes to my eccentric obsession with VHS videotapes that to this day I still buy (:
I hope this would be helpful explaining/recommending movies you're yet to watch and for you to see my point of view on some subjects regarding cinema and films of course.

Director: Julian Schnabel
Cast: Mathieu Amalric and Emanuelle Seigner

Well the first movie I'm going to write about is "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" -Le Scaphandre et le papillon (2007)- because is the last one I've seen -meaning yesterday- and because I haven't got the time to write about it.

French cinema has always had my fascination and this movie was great in every aspect.


This film tells a true story, the story of Jean-Dominic Bauby who suffers paralysis -all body his paralyzed but his left eye- at age 43 having it all in his life.
Aside from the great life lesson it gives from overcoming adversities in life this films gives a whole new meaning to what is to live the movie you're watching and become part of the story.
The scenes it shows are both ordinary and unique and the way they're shown its what makes them special.
From the beginning of the movie we are transported into the body and thought of the main character and we can have both perspectives from Jean-Dominic (by having that inside look, thoughts and eye perspective) and from all the other characters (based on our own judgement).
The screenplay amazes by the audacious take on such complex plot and interpretation taken to the big screen.

I would recommend this to anyone passionate about french cienema, art films, book adaptations and personal growth themed films.



Now in another note; I want to talk about Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937).
This movie every time I talk about it -because I usually comment a lot about what I like and don't like- I hear the same thing over and over. From boys: "It's for girls" or "It's a dumb animated movie". From girls: "It's beautiful!"or "She's so dumb, she should want more than just a guy".
Well I always reply the same thing, this film is a masterpice. Ok, so Walt Disney made it so he could afford a bigger studio and produce more animated features, yeah, but that doesn't mean he did it just because of that this was just on of his reasons.
Disney was an entertainer and if in something he gave all of his effort was in this, he didn't care about people telling him he couldn't do something, like to make an animated feature film... and well he did an amazing movie.

First of all let's all erease the belief that animated features are for kids or at least just put them aside for a minute. With this film it is essential to take note of each and every element of it.
The story is known by all and while its important, it is not the main point in this review.
What made Snow White a classic are the techniques of reality used to create certain characters combined with the cartoonish looks of others, the mixture of both good and bad in such contrast, the music, the songs and of course the way human emotions were ascribed to animated characters and the way they were handled.
Now moving to a different subject, there are comments against -well not against but whatever- stating that this movie promotes the 'dumbness' in women and low expectations of life. Seriously I always differ from this point of view and not because I'm a guy but more than that I don't believe that just because traditions, culture, beliefs, etc., of some generation are portrayed in a film and are different nowadays the movie is bad or promotes a specific way of behaving.

Today a lot of people are happy with Princess and the Frog for its values and its independent protagonist and because today that's a 'normal' -by normal I mean an accepted one by society- behavior but lets remember that back to the 1930's most women were just like Snow White searching for true love and weren't that much allowed to work leaving them to aspire on getting married and having a family only. Today people have a different belief on true love, most of the time it comes at second place, a job being the first one; by having this perspective a movie like this may seem a little dull and poor in ambition, but the important thing is to look at its spirit and value it as the work of art it is. Plus it doesn't kill to fantasize a bit with a novel or a movie about true love.
I've always believed this to be a masterpiece -in its own way- for all it encompasses and for the revolution it caused in the movie-making industry.

I'm just starting so I'd thank your feedback & support (: