Stay

This was a great movie. I just stumbled upon it because of Ryan Gosling, who I think it absolutely adorable but also an immensely talented actor. This movie a psychological thriller that starts out leading the viewer to believe and think one way but as the movie progresses that reality is slowly unraveled. The character that Ewan McGregor plays is a psychologist that is trying to help Ryan Gosling's character. This is pretty black and white but as the movie continues the lines blur and everything just starts turning gray. You start to doubt McGregor's character's sanity and all the while trying to figure out what the heck is going on. The cinematography is very choppy and disjointed much like Mulholland Dr. The choppiness definitely aids in the overall tone and feel of the movie which is utter confusion of reality and fantasy. I definitely recommend this movie.

Mansfield Park

This is a movie based off of the Jane Austen novel which is supposedly the most autobiographical of all of her novels. I thought this was an excellent movie adaptation. The story centers around what all of Austen's novels center around which is poverty and marriage. The main character Fanny Price (Frances O'Conner) is sent to live with her aunt for an education and a better life. Also, probably because her parents couldn't afford her anymore. One of the main points of this story is about marrying someone that you truly love and not just because there is an offer. The story also touches on truly knowing a person and loving everything about them. This movie inspired me to watch Becoming Jane again.

2 Days in Paris

This was such a great movie especially if you are an American that has had the opportunity to travel to Europe. At first I wasn't sure because the movie started out very blurry but the picture was much clearer as the film progressed. Jack (Adam Goldberg) does such a good job of the American traveler abroad. He wasn't the typical annoying tourist or anything but his American roots definitely show through. For example, when him and his girlfriend Marion (Julie Delpy) are waiting in line for a cab when they arrive in Paris, Jack does not want to wait in line, and he doesn't want take public transit. He is fearful of terrorist attacks but in a humorous way. My favorite scene of the entire movie is when Jack goes to a fast food restaurant by himself. The lady behind the counter does not speak English so he is having a hard time ordering from her. I do find it odd that no one behind him in line tried to help him out. Anyways, even after it is clearly established that the lady behind the counter does not speak English whatsoever, Jack continues to joke with her in English. I have had similar experiences with individuals I have traveled with. It is hard for them to grasp that these people really don't understand them. Anyways, this movies is hilarious and definitely shows the differences between the French and American cultures.

Juno

So, people have been telling me ever since this movie came out that I need to see it. Well, they were right!! This movie was so good. I would say this movie is a nice mix between Napoleon Dynamite, Accepted and Clueless. The script and dialogue in this movie is one of the wittiest and smartest I have seen in a long time. It is hilarious because no 16 year old that I know would ever talk like that. Juno (Ellen Page) plays this likeable but odd character. She never really engages in small talk, everything she says has some kind of meaning or comes out of left field. The way the dialogue happens between the characters in this movie is almost musical. I also think this movie does a good job of portraying life as a teenager in a more awkward, realistic way. Not everyone goes to prom or is excited about it but that doesn't make them the Goth rebels that are usually portrayed in movies. It is also cool how Juno's best girlfriend is a cheerleader and popular. This helps to illustrate that sometimes people are actually really friends in high school. That cheerleaders hang out with more than each other and the football players. I thought for the most part this was one of the more acturate portrayals of high school that I have seen in a long time.

The Fountain

I had heard good things about this movie when it came out in theaters but I just never made it in time. This is a weird movie, for sure. There are definitely two almost three different stories going on. They all intertwine in some way. I was definitely left wondering at the end of the movie especially how the third story fit it to it all. I mean each story had pretty much the same plot/theme but it was obvious how the first two related but the last one was not explained. I am thinking it is up to the audience to decide how that story is relevant. The movie's biggest theme is the human quest for eternal life. Each story dealt with different ways of achieving this goal. The second part of that theme, I suppose is that trying for a quest like that will always leave you disappointed. I guess in order to achieve eternal life, it will come with consequences. Which makes sense to me anyways. You can't hope and pray for something so fantastical and just expect it to happen without sacrificing anything. The special effects are definitely very cool. And Hugh Jackman does a great job in this movie. I definitely recommend watching it.

Breaking and Entering

The reason that I added this movie to my netflix queue was of course because Jude Law is in this movie and secondly because it did look intriguing. I thought this movie was ok. Will's (Jude Law) character at first was a little one dimensional. He really didn't seem to have much emotion or feeling about anything in his life. Which actually could be due to the relationship he was in with his live-in girlfriend. He really just seemed to be floating along oblivious to things around him. His character starts to develop a little bit more after the business he owns is broken into twice. At first, there is a prostitute he is spending time with while waiting for the burglars to come back. He is clearly not interested in her at least not sexually but he continues to let her hang around. I guess you can tell he is looking for something but he doesn't want to settle for just anything. He does find a connection with a woman but it doesn't really seem completely reciprocated and definitely causes problems as any affair does. I am not sure if this movie really has a theme that I am just not getting. It is an interesting story but other than spouse seeks love when his significant other is pushing him away all at the same time other parts of his life are in turmoil. The ending turned out nice because it does show a little bit of kindness and compassion towards others.

The Other Boleyn Girl

I thought this movie was pretty good considering you already know the ending. I don't agree with what most of the critics say about this movie where the actresses' roles should be switched. I think both girls do a great job in their respective roles. For those people who don't think the Natalie Portman can play deceptive character you need to see the movie Closer. She does an excellent job in that movie. I think the Scarlett Johansson does a great job of playing the innocent and 'good' sister. I think that the king's character is a bit of a wuss not to say that Eric Bana did a bad job of portraying it if that was the writer or director's intention. It is scary to think that pretty girls could have that much influence over the decisions of an entire kingdom. I think this movie shows how weak guys can be sometimes when they aren't thinking clearly. It almost always ends in disaster. I love seeing a woman in a powerful position. But this movie also showcases how easily you can lose that control and how devastating it can be to one day have a man completely obsessed with you and then the next he can't stand you. This movie also touches on the idea that if the method in which you gained his affections were dishonest or corrupt that is all you can expect from him. Anyway, I thought this movie did a good job of portraying famous historical story in a fresher light. Definitely makes me want to read the book that this movie is based off of.

No Reservations

I have been wanting to watch this movie for awhile. This movie reminded me a lot of 'Raising Helen' and not to mention I am pretty sure the girl in this movie is the same girl that plays the youngest sibling in 'Raising Helen'. Being very into good food myself, I thought the gourmet chef aspect of the film was very cool. And I definitely subscribe to the same theory about enjoying good food. A good lesson (or whatever you call it) from this movie is how selfless you become when you have to take care of someone else. At the beginning of the movie, Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) was pretty preoccupied with herself and her life. You also get the impression that she really doesn't do anything outside of being a chef for this restaurant and go to therapy. And the therapy is her boss's idea. Gradually, you notice that her therapy sessions start to stray from herself and towards her niece. There was actually a part of the movie that made me tear up which is not usual for me. I think overall this movie was pretty cute. This movie also reminds me a lot of 'About a Boy' with Hugh Grant. Kate has to learn that "No man is an island." She just realizes how much more fulfilling life is when you let people in and you care about more than yourself.

Because I Said So

This movie is a good movie for mothers and daughters to watch. It might help that overbearing, too-involved mom to finally get the point and let go. It was a little hard for me to understand because my mom really doesn't try to tell me what to do anymore and hasn't for a long time. Not to mention she definitely doesn't try to set me up on dates and tell me who I should date. I would be ridiculously annoyed and tell her to stop anyway. There are three daughters in this movie that were raised pretty much by their mom by herself. So, you can understand the extremely close bond but when you mix that in when a overbearing personality it can be disastrous. I am sounding like I didn't like the movie which is not true. I did like the movie but there were definite times that I wanted to tell the mother (Diane Keaton) to SHUT UP! This movie definitely had some funny parts and left me with a good feeling in the end. I think that is pretty much all you can ask from romantic comedies. I love them myself but I think that is because I respect them for what they are and I don't have expectations for them to be anything else.

Mulholland Dr.

I watched this movie after a recommendation from a friend. Otherwise, I might not have stumbled upon this movie. So, I am definitely thinking this movie needs to watched at least twice to fully appreciate it. The first time you will just be wondering what the heck is going on and why you are still watching it. The second time you will probably catch things that you didn't notice the first time and you will be able to appreciate the beautifully crafted scenes. The movie starts out in utter confusion with both the feelings of the characters and the jumping around between different characters. More and more characters are introduced so that you still have no idea how that they all tie together. There are definitely some beautiful moments in the movie such as when 'Rita' and 'Betty' go see this type of magic show at 2 a.m. There is this lady singing in Spanish the Roy Orbison song 'Crying' and her voice is just amazing. Anyway, towards the end of the movie you are begging every time there is a fade out for it not to end because you still don't feel like you have figured it out and then it does end. So without ruining the movie, here are some of my ideas of what it all means. I think this movie is trying to symbolize the difference between someones dreams and their reality. Sometimes people have to imagine their lives are actually better than what it is because it would be too depressing. Another point I think this movie is trying to make is about the art of deception. Especially in a world like show business, it is really not a good idea to let yourself be used because people always have an agenda and they will keep using you until they can't get anymore out of you. My absolute favorite party of the movie is the 'small people.' If you haven't seen the movie you don't know what I am talking about it but it really makes you go 'What the f***?' but then giggle at the same time. Definitely, a good movie for some great discussions if for no other reason than to figure out what the heck is going on.

30 Days of Night

So I just watched this movie tonight with my family. I definitely thought this movie has an interesting twist on the whole vampire horror movie. The story takes place in the most northern point of the U.S. in Alaska. This small town is used to the weather conditions where they have 30 days of darkness. Most of the town goes south for the month and a few stay behind. Unfortunately, these 30 days are going to be different. The town is under attack by these vampires creatures that have an agenda. Basically the vampires don't want to create more of them like usual, they just want to feed. I definitely liked some of the cinematography in this movie. Definitely has lots of blood and gore. I don't think it was the best horror movie I have ever seen but it definitely was not bad. I think that the story is definitely fresh and not redundant and the ending wasn't too much of a 'deus ex machina'. If you want a movie with a decent story and to be scared I think this is a definite movie to watch.

Unfaithful

So I started watching this movie years ago and I didn't get very far because I didn't really like the idea of glorifying infidelity. Especially because it seems like Connie (Diane Lane) and Edward's (Richard Gere) marriage seemed to be better than fine. I guess once you give it a chance you realize that isn't the point of the movie. Most movies that deal with an affair usually justify it because the marriage isn't good for one reason or another. I think the point of this movie is more about consequences and choices. Connie gets caught up in the excitement of her affair probably because of the excitement after years of being married and being a mother. One interesting thing was how many hints Edward needed before he checked up on his wife. He received so many signs that something wasn't right before he checked into it. And I am not going to give the movie away but then Edward makes a decision that really can't be judged unless you are in the position but definitely has an impact on his family. You can't really blame him though because it all stems from Connie's initial decision.

'O'

I watched this movie a couple of nights ago. I remember when this movie came out and none of my friends really seemed interested in seeing it so I never did. It turned out to be a very shocking and twisted movie. Which isn't all that surprising considering it is a remake of Shakespeare's Othello. Not actually being familiar with Othello's story other than it being a tradegy, made this movie very shocking. I thought this movie really pulled at the heart strings when it comes to love, betrayal, and racial prejudice. Josh Hartnett's character Hugo actually reminds me a lot of Julia Robert's character in Closer. Someone who will never be happy and really ends up destroying people in their fumble through it.

Music and Lyrics

So I watched this movie last night. I really enjoyed it. I even thought the song that Sophie and Alex create was good! Of course this is in the romantic comedy genre but actually I found that this movie wasn't nearly as sappy as usually expected. I thought the chemistry between the Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore was excellent. I especially liked Drew Barrymore's character because she was pretty real. Not perfect at all. She definitely has a quirky and a bit strange personality.