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February 28, 2011

Movie Report : February 2011

So how is everybody's feeling about the Oscars result? Lead nominations is predictable for me, but I feel lucky enough to watch them before the Oscar. But it seems this month's posts are the winners from Academy Awards. The rest are in line from Valentine theme (many of them are not deliberately being picked to watch). Let's see :


Biutiful (2010) 
I start the month by watching one of the nomination for Best Foreign Movie in this year's Golden Globe and Oscar. Javier Bardem undoubtedly give a great performance as a father, but some of the scenes I wish I did not see at all. Now I have never been a parent but I do know that it's not easy. Despite the sorrow and the darkness the movie's picturing, I have to say that being a single parent and having an illegal job is like playing with fire. In some ways kids 'force' you to be a good model, even if you don't feel like one. Never took someone's right to something they earn, or it will come back to you.

Rating : 2,5 Stars




You Again (2010)

Seeing Kristen Bell and adding Jamie Lee Curtis here is not helping. The only part where it's worth watch is the part where Jamie Lee Curtis fights with Sigourney Weaver. This comedy movie has predictable ending. But truthfully, often all of us never forget the harsh teasing in high school. The movie gave a good point of letting go of the past, giving a rethink of how maybe there's ever unresolved problem behind in high school you should resolved.

Rating :  1,5 Stars




Happythankyoumoreplease (2010) 
If there were any more of Josh Radnor movies, I definitely want to watch that.




Cin(T)a (2009)
Though the movie felt raw, it raise a very sensitive topic in its country. Differences should be beautiful, in some cases difference it is decidedly can't work out. Having a different religion with your spouse in some countries is hard. Even though differences is common, but some religions has a history of falling-out to each other. So when two people from different religion got together, there's a lot to work out. But I'd say it's up to the individuals to choose their partner, because each individual has different cultures in their family and different minds. You should see if the obstacles ahead of you is a problem or not. I do like the framing of the each picture in the movie, but I wish they have better transitions between scenes.

Open www.godisadirector.com for more info.



The Romantics (2010)
Falling in love with Prince Charming and get married, it is (mostly) every girl's dream. When you are reaching a certain age, things could blind you and mess your real purpose. Are you doing in for the right reason, or are you just want to be perfect, or, just to win? In this case, winning from your girlfriends. There's a lot more to dig in your heart and ask yourself what's so important about winning. I wasn't really surprise in Katie Holmes character again, and I feel the movie is unfinished. Are they going to make a sequel? Because that explains the ending.

Result : 2 Stars



Blue Valentine (2010)
Blue Valentine maybe the most realistic story about relationship. Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling felt amazingly real to be a couple in love and out of love. Finding someone that loves you for you is a blessing. But maintaining it is another thing. The most crucial question is are you willing to work it out. Getting to know someone who's going to be on the same roof with you and raise a child with is necessary. This movie is actually a great movie of picturing the journey of a couple being in love into a bitter one.
 Result : 3,5 Stars



The Fighter (2010) 
Congratulations Christian Bale for winning Best Supporting Actor in Academy Awards and Melissa Leo for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role



The King's Speech (2010)
Congratulations for their winning in Academy Award : Best Achievement in Directing (Tom Hooper), Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Collin Firth), Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (David Seidler). I can see this movie is a winner right after I watch it.




Crazy Little Thing Called Love (2010)
This cute high school love movie from Thailand is fresh and funny. I keep arguing myself whether this movie is good enough to be posted, because its ending disappoint me for making them a regular teen-love movie. In the end, the movie is a good choice for Valentine, entertaining and gave a nostalgic time back in high school.
Result : 3 Stars



Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
The movie was based on the autobiography by Li Cunxin. At the age of 11, Li was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao's cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he fell in love with an American woman (imdb). This is the second time I watch movies about ballet after Black Swan. Although it raised a strong history of Chinese communist back then, the cast were unable to bring depth to the story. The ballet scene is breathtaking but just wasn't enough to make the movie's beauty. Amanda Schull who previously played in Center Stage did a little part of ballet which is a waste.

Result : 2 Stars





Love and Other Drugs (2010)
Jake Gylenhall and Anne Hathaway meet again after playing in the same winning movie Brokeback Mountain. There's not much to offer here, a classic two free spirit people in love. I imagine the viewers are the fans of both leading role. At least the last romantic scene felt moving.
Result : 2,5 Stars



London Boulevard (2010)
Collin Farrell and Keira Knightley stars in this England themed action movie. Collin played Mitchell, an ex-convict gangster who's looking to get his life right. He then guards Charlotte (Keira), a highly anticipated media celebrity. The movie felt precisely about action and life of gangster, the romance is a good seasoning for the movie. It could have been a bit depressing but instead it felt a cool action movie. It might have been because of the great music selection.

Result : 3 Stars



Never Let Me Go (2010)
This Mark Romanek's latest movie is a must-see. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2005 novel of the same name, stars Carrey Mulligan, Keira Knightly and Andrew Garfield gave an amazing performance.

4 comments:

Chris said...

I should probably seen the kings speech soon with best the picture oscar, (and you gave it 5/5). I didn't plan to see it, as rottentomatoes said the film is predictable.

I'm guessing there will be more royal films on the way, with the oscar succes of "The Queen" as well. Maybe princess diana and her troubled marriage will get made?

Andina said...

Well I guess it is predictable, if you are getting used to see award winning movies you'll get the storyline. but it is inspiring for me, because you never know the king has a speech disorder before (at least for me).

Maybe there will be another royal films. but actually they have already made it before king's speech, like Queen Elizabeth for example. But you never know.

So go watch it :)

Anonymous said...

Predictable as in you knew that he'd be able to give his speech? Guess so. But it was so great to watch the beautiful story of friendship, courage and persistenace unfold itself. It's definitely one of my faves.
I like your blog btw, nice 'short and sweet' reviews :)

Andina said...

Predictable as in he will be able to get pass his inability. Like I said, if you used to seeing these type of movies you will get the usual storyline. Yes it is a beautiful movie, I love it too.

Thanks again :)