We’re staying in the feel good genre for a day, tomorrow is Indie Tuesday after all:
While the world is going into an ice age, Sid, a constant babbling sloth, gets left behind for the migration. Luckily his uplifting spirit helps him to get in contact with Manny, a grumpy mammoth with no interest in Sid whatsoever. When they later find a connection in a baby they rescued, they decide to return it to the parents. But Diego, a very big teethed tiger, has an eye on this sweet little baby too.
This is probably the only movie Shannon and I have watched over and over. It's the irritating but charming Sid, the uplifting but sad story and the simple yet beautiful scenery. In the end it's probably the chemistry between Sid and Manny that does it for me. Isn't it just awesome when you can annoy someone with such passion as Sid does?
Even if you saw it before, it's just the perfect movie for a lazy Sunday afternoon. A sweet, fun and casual movie, with just about the right length before it gets tiring. A welcome refresh from all the Disneys around.
Magnolia is the story of several stories brought to one. And by that I don’t mean two or three, but really, several. First we have Frank T.J. Mackey, the self-proclaimed women expert and motivational speaker. Phil Parma, taking care of his cancer patient Earl Partridge. Linda Partridge, who can’t handle her dying husband and struggles with her addiction. And then there’s also a tv host, a game show star and a former game show star. I hope I didn’t miss any.. O, yeah, there’s a cop dealing with a dope addict, who he actually kinda likes.
In protest of Paul Thomas Anderson not winning any Oscars for 'There Will be Blood' last night (arguably it wasn't worth one either), here's one of his earlier, but best rated works. The film is not only directed, but also written by this brilliant filmmaker. As he once said himself: 'I guess the way that I really feel is that Magnolia is, for better or worse, the best movie I'll ever make.'
Very human and emotional, but always on the unusual or funny side. Nifty getting all stories together and supported by a very well performing cast -- even Cruise receives little complain. Accompanied by the sounds of Aimee Mann, this is indeed a project you'll probably only create once in a lifetime.
Because Amelie’s parents mistakenly thought she had a serious heart defect, she was brought up overly protective and never had a normal live. She rarely had any contact with people and therefore Amelie created her own world of love and fantasy. As an adult she moves to Paris, where she finds a box that belongs to the former occupant of her room. The box is filled with childhood memories and this is when she decides to make her fantasies a reality. She is about to change the lives of the people around her, in a very peculiar way.
'Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain' (French title) is a combination of originality. First, we have the magic of director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, with his own unforgettable visual style and storytelling – and with some help of cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel. Then, there's the story itself, full of quirks and charm. And lastly, Audrey Tautou, so genuine, funny, sweet and romantic. And with a pair of eyes you will recognize for the rest of your life. With two of those, you could probably pull off anything. But although Amelie might have grown up like a naive little girl, the movie itself certainly is not.
It's not every day you see a movie where everything falls together so perfectly. Lets not forget the incredible soundtrack while we're at it. If you will see only one French movie in your whole life, this should be the one. A overdose of positivity you cannot miss out on.
Sick of working as a file clerk at the local VA hospital, Harvey Pekar becomes interested in writing comic books. Under the motto ‘ordinary life is pretty complex stuff’, he begins writing one with himself as the main character. Soon he will go from a cult hit to appearing on David Letterman, but all in his very own way.
For me, it's a good moment when a movie you don't know anything about, surprises you in most possible ways. Not being familiar with Paul Giamatti and Harvey Pekar at the time, this was one of those movies. Combining documentary with fiction, animation with realtime and a voice over by Harvey Pekar himself, this movie doesn't want to be put in a box. The outcome is an unusual and fresh biopic. So skip all those rehashed biopics out today and check this American Splendor.
Harry struggles to get in enough money to fuel his drug addiction. Looking for something to sell, he visits his mom, who can’t refuse her son. She, on her own, needs to get fit to get on her favorite TV-show and is willing to take pills to get there. After Harry and his girlfriend Marion run out again, Marion has to take alternative methods to get in some money.
Let me first say this is a 'disturbing casual monday'. But if you're up to that, this is one of the first movies I'd mention when someone would ask me for the best movie of the last ten years (although I hate putting movies on a scale).
So if you take it this movie isn't for the light-hearted, it's impressive on almost every level. Aronofsky puts so much passion and style into his movies, I'd say it's impossible not to get involved. But lets not forget it's also because of Hubert Selby's brutal novel about the mix of dreams and addiction. Not to mention the performances, especially Ellen Burstyn as the mother. This, combined with the beautiful cinematography and an equally impressive score brings this gritty story to a brilliant and powerful level.
"I'm going to see Smart People on Monday at a press screening. I'll let you know a bit of what I think about it, but my review will only be released ea [....]"
