Lars is an introvert young man, living in the modified garage of his married brother. He holds back from any contact and can’t even handle being touched by friends or family. One day, one of his cubicle colleagues tells him about a place where you can buy a real size doll. While Lars doesn’t seem impressed, soon a big package arrives on his and his brother’s doorstep. From then on he takes Bianca, the open-mouthed sex doll, everywhere he goes in her wheelchair. And everyone has to get used to Lars being convinced she is the real deal.
It was about a week ago when one of our readers, A. Caleb Hartley from 'environmentastic', reminded me about this movie. And I didn't forget about it because it was a 'forgettable' movie. It's just, how do you convince someone to see a movie about a guy buying a sex doll to be his real partner?
I guess I just have to give it a try. 'Lars and the Real Girl' is a remarkable positive story about looking a little further than your first impression. Ryan Gosling plays a silly and traumatized, but ultimately charming young man. It's the story behind the crazy guy on the street. Because we all know this crazy guy wasn't always crazy. And it's a comforting thought that a community like Lars lives in, might really exists. Not judging, but helping.
A. Caleb told me he had seen it in the $1.00 theater. For just $1.00 I can't think of any reason not to go and see this movie. I may sound like a movie teacher, but movies are just always better on that big silver screen. It will take a long time before some movie download equipment can beat that experience.
Trying to jump a fence at the car impound lot didn’t exactly work out for literature professor Lawrence. It not only gave him a nice concussion, but also the pleasure of not being able to drive himself. Luckily, his lowlife adopted brother Chuck is here to move in and become his chauffeur. Being a nice guy and all, he convinces Lawrence’s daughter Vanessa to have more fun. And since her father is this grumpy college professor, fun for her doesn’t mean doing drugs like Chuck means.
It's no question Ellen Page made a big impression on a lot of people with Juno. And the first impressions on Smart People point into the same direction. A well worked out drama, with the usual comical lightness. Let's hope Sarah Jessica Parker doesn't ruin it all! Just kidding, although it's a sad thing she replaced Rachel Weisz, who probably would have been perfect for this movie. But all in all, this is looking to be quite the debut for director Noam Murro.
Marjane is a proud little girl, trying to understand what’s going on in the 1970’s Iran. Screaming “Down with the Shah!”, she stamps trough the room trying to make a statement. But as a teenager she finds out the Islamic fundamentalists, which have taken over her country, aren’t doing any better. Ridiculing all their new laws, she ultimately has to move to Austria for her own safety. However, this open country doesn’t bring her the peace and love she expected either.
I had the feeling this coming-of-age story might go a little too deep for my taste. But thank God for Marjane! This charming little girl even makes the lessons in history entertaining. The creators of this movie, Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi, found the perfect balance between the autobiography of a young girl and a country.
I'm not sure why the authors chose to make this movie in black-and-white, but it somehow causes the movies look to be more authentic. The drawing itself is very minimalistic and stylized, but keeps every important expression alive in every way. All this, with the story itself, really makes you feel like you are watching an adult animation. It's like they wanted us to forget the cartoons these movies are usually associated with.
In the end, this movie is probably one of the most impressive Western animated movies I've seen. It tells these sometimes difficult subjects with such charm, it's really hard to forget.
Being totally obsessed with weddings, Jane has already been a bridesmaid for 27 times. Whenever someone’s asking her to be the maid of honour, she just can’t say no. After a night running from one wedding to another, she is picking up her sister, Tess, from the airport. That night Jane has a party from her work and invites Tess over. Once there, Tess meets Jane’s boss George and instantly falls in love with him. Unfortunately, Jane has a crush on him as well. When Tess and George decide to get married, Jane starts wondering… Is she ever going to get married or will she be a bridesmaid forever?
Katherine Heigl, Jane, is really what makes this movie worth the popcorn. She is funny, charming and looking great. Her character is always there for everyone around her. Jane is taking care of every friend’s wedding and doing everything her boss is asking her to do and more. It is nice to see her character develop during the movie. At some point she is standing up for herself and finally doing what is making her happy.
Besides that, the movie has it’s funny moments and gives you the happy feeling people are usually getting from weddings.
As you might have noticed February 2008 is over, and this means it’s time for a movie top 10 for last month! We’ve been doing this for a little over a month now and what a fun time it has been. Thanks everybody for visiting, taking the movie polls and leaving your kind comments. It has been fun to build this small community with all of you. A small community of movie lovers out there on this very very big internet.
As I said, I thought it would be cool to do a monthly movie top 10. So based on your votes, here are the ten most and best voted movies in February: Read the rest of this entry »
"This movie is fantastic. Very good. I was lucky enough to see it in theaters after its Oscar win.
I wrote about the film here: http://film-book.com [....]"
