So, it’s been a while since I bothered to pick up a book, let alone work on my own, in fact I’ve even delayed writing this post for quite some time now. But in an effort to move away from my month-long arbitrary lifestyle, I'm finally getting down to documenting, and of course spreading awareness about, some of the rather well made movies I’ve recently seen. Surprisingly, spending all that time tucked into the warmth of my bed with the grumbling rain outside and my laptop for company has had a positive side to it as well.
So here it is…
Movies I Strongly Recommend (to all film buffs!)
Personally, I find this movie to be the very best example of an indie film. The camera work is just the right temperature of kooky, the plotline just the right length of funky and of course the characters are simmering to perfection in their oddity. I enjoyed watching Kat Dennings (from the entertaining film Charlie Bartlett) as the new girl who takes the town up in storm, even though she has this inner dilemma plaguing every decision she makes. Josh Lucas does a great job as the teacher who falls for the student and I loved the twist his character was given (esp. the blond look).
This movie shows Eva Green at her best. A movie that delves into the psyche of a woman who spins an endless web of lies to keep her students close to her, complete with an intense soundtrack (I immediately downloaded it) and a gripping plot. With an imdb rating of 6.7 (although their rating system is not to be trusted with every movie) this movie goes so much further than the description: A look at the lives and relationships among girls at an elite British boarding school.
I started watching this movie at around 5 am after a particularly restless night. Having fallen desperately in love with Natalie Portman after Black Swan, it was lovely to see her in one of the plotlines. My particular favorite from the lot was the story of Bradley Cooper and Drea de Matteo, it kept me hooked. Overall, a kaleidoscopic cinematography yet it’s never too different from the other. A must watch for fans of any actor/actress from the cast, especially Shia LaBeouf who, I’m pleased to say, completely surprised me.
How one little lie can so completely ruin the fate of two lovers is what provides the tragic element to this movie. Little Briony Tallis reads a letter meant for her elder sister, played by the beautiful Keira Knightley, and makes up her 13 year old mind about its writer and his unusual sentiments towards her sister. She condemns him to a life at the battlefront when she wrongfully accuses him of raping their cousin, thus providing the twist in the fairytale romance brewing by the fountain. A must watch for the more patient film buffs.
A few white lies. A tarnished reputation. An unceremonious rise to fame. Following a pattern that most yawn-worthy chick flicks do, Emma Stone’s repartee and dry humor is what made this movie interesting enough to watch two times. Although Amanda Bynes as the stuck-up ‘religious rat’ has received more criticism than praise, each cast member seems to be a perfect fit for their role. And whoever doesn’t have Pocketful of Sunshine buzzing in their heads after this movie has issues.
· Never Let Me Go-
Movies like Never Let Me Go don’t come around too often, especially when the book itself has been written with such ingenuity. The book-to-movie conversion is done with such expertise that it almost feels like an androgynous combination of a book and a movie. Following the story of Kathy, Tommy and Ruth as they go through a seemingly perfect education –but of course there are more things that lie beneath the surface –this movie can be classified, in my view, as visual poetry thanks to the skilled cinematography, direction and acting.
· Last Night-
This rather intriguing story follows a married couple apart for a night. While the husband takes a business trip with a colleague (to whom he's attracted) his wife encounters a past love. While he's resisting temptation, she’s resisting the prospects of a happier life and a sad trip down memory lane.
· The Romantics-
With a cast of familiar faces, this movie follows the events that take place over the course of a single night when seven friends reunite for the marriage of Tom (Josh Duhamel) and Lila (Anna Paquin). Interestingly, the line between ‘friends’ and ‘friends with benefits’ blurs out into oblivion as we find things to be more complicated than they seem. And of course, the soundtrack has the same aloof undertones that are strewn throughout the film making it an interesting watch.
