The Proposition

So after four years I've finally seen The Proposition. I've been meaning to see it for a while now, and I am ashamed to admit that it has taken this long. But I've finally seen it and it definitely delivered all that was anticipated. The director, John Hillcoat, has created, I think, one of the best movies about family I've ever seen. This film is not for the faint of heart, but it's definitely amazing. It deserves all the praise it was given and all the praise it receives further. The film aesthetic is so simple yet so intricate, it's a gorgeous piece. Everything is executed to a hill everything composed in a specific manner, colored specifically. You can feel the filth as everyone melts away in the Australian outback. Everyone is dirty in this movie, rightly so, but a dirt so black that you can feel it. Guy Pearce's transformation is one of sheer brilliance. This man can do no wrong in my book and I don't think he's given enough praise. He completely transforms himself each time he does a film, it's quite something to watch. Considering I posted a few weeks ago about The Hurt Locker. The fact that he does a very small part as an American soilder in that film and is a complete turn around here is just amazing to see. But the film stands alone, the characters are all equally complex, and only running 1hr44mins you think it would take longer to have characters develope like they do in the film. It's quite something to see. The screenplay is just so well done. The film begins with high energy and slows to a hilt, makes you wait, makes you anticipate, makes you wait real long, then the shit hits the fan. Like crazy. In the middle of an Austrailian christmas nonetheless. It's hard to decribe everything without giving it away, but the premise is this: Charlie Burns (Pearce), in exchange for the freedom of his younger brother Mike (Richard Wilson) is asked to kill his older brother Arthur (Danny Huston). Watch and support films like these folks it means a lot to getting the word out there and celebrating these artists accordingly. Hillcoat's newest cinematic endeavor The Road, starring Viggo Mortensen, looks to be just as good if not better. If you haven't heard about it, you will, but here's the trailer just in case.

Happy moviegoing!

Lets just assess for a second....

Be excited. Be very excited...
Yes Jeff Bridges with a braid!
Yes Kevin Spacey is back!
OH YES PEOPLE!
OH YES!

This looks magic! Why I am only hearing about it now? Not sure, but I am glad I stumbled upon it nonetheless.

Happy moviegoing!

I couldn't even wait to post this.... Chris Nolan = GENIUS

San Diego "Hot" News

So I wont usually do this, but I thought this was necessary considering the circumstances. I was in San Diego this weekend to enjoy a Killers concert and amidst the rendezvous of record shopping my roomie and I were informed of this...The San Diego Union Tribune, "Hot" News reads:

"Tony Curtis walked down Memory Lane here yesterday - in high heels. In a 50-year anniversary observance of the cross-dressing classic Some Like It Hot, filmed, in part, at the Hotel del Coronado, Curtis reminisced with reporters about wearing heels. The hardest part of walking in them, he said, was making sure one foot was firmly planted before the other was lifted. As for what it was like, in his role as Josephine, to have a bosom, Curtis quipped: "I couldn't see my wrist watch." He has returned to Hotel del Coronado this weekend for a series of commemorative events..."

Oh yes folks! Oh yes! Now I can't say I saw the glorious Curtis himself, but we definitely made a B line to the Hotel del Coronado and saw just how great this place is. Also there was a collection of paintings done by Curtis himself. Now I couldn't take pictures, but I managed to snap some on my phone so they are a bit blurry. If you notice in the corner Tony Curtis has signed all of them. Ahhhh! Oh yes ladies and gents, Tony Curtis, actor, author, and painter. In addition the Hotel was absoluetly stunning and if I could afford the $340.00 ticket I would have saw Curtis that night at his Q&A about him, his book, and the making of Some Like It Hot.

Happy Anniversary to one of the greatest movies of all time! AFI ranks this at the top of their list of best Comedies of the century. If this doesn't sway you to watch it, then how bout Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in drag. And if that doesn't sway you, how bout Marilyn Monroe singing, or Monroe herself. How bout one of the greatest writers Hollywood has ever seen? Wilder anyone?. Either way Billy Wilder is one of the greatest screenwriters/directors of all time. A good portion of his films are some of the most quoted in Hollywood history. His skills are key to creating some of the most memorable moments in American cinema history. "All right, Mr. Deville, I'm ready for my close-ip" anybody...anybody...? Oh yes folks, I cannot doubt that you wont be roaring with laughter from this film, it's so superbly executed and so well done. It's a gem!

Billy Wilder is a genius and if you haven't seen this film I suggest you do so straigth away...straigth away! Other examples of Wilder genius include but not limited to: Double Indemnity, Sunset Blvd., Sabrina, The Seven Year Itch, and The Apartment.

Enjoy folks & happy moviegoing!

Some Michael Caine Anyone?...

Holy who's excited about this???
Michael Caine is 76. 76! This man is going to kick ass, and it's going to be great!



P.S. The films director, Daniel Barber, was nominated this past year at the Oscars for The Tonto Women. The film actually looks well executed. I am rather intrigued to see this film, despite the fact that Michael Caine is playing the protagonist.

Kisses & happy moviegoing!

Mermaid (Rusalka) 2007

Though I've been meaning to write about this for some time now I feel that it's being posted just when needed. I watched Mermaid at the Palm Springs Film Festival. It was my first screening of the festival and it wasn't topped by any other. The film tells the tale of Alisa, a young girl coming of age in the big city, Moscow. She moves from a small coastal town at the edge of the world it seems with her mother and grandmother. And so begins her journey. I'm not gonna tell you much else beside this...Alisa is a very special person, she has the ability to make wishes come true.

Although I've read on several occasions that this film is "the Russian Amelie" I don't think it compares in the least. I believe the two films are much different from each other and cannot be compared as similar entities. So don't let that sway your perception of the film because it is a truly original piece.

The film is shot so beautifully and this is one of its strongest features. Within the walls of a gray city it's safe to say that to find such beauty, color and magic is quite a task and the director, Anna Melikyan, executes it so wonderfully and this show prominently in the films overall style. Not everything needs to sparkle to be filled with wonder and awe. And to achieve the pure sentiment of wonder and awe in Alisa's world shows just how masterful Melikyan is; she someone to look out for that's for sure. I think what best describes the personality of Alisa is this constant state of wonder and awe she's in throughout the film and it's her perspective that allows the audience to envelope themselves in this mind frame and enjoy everything as she does.

Although it's hard to get your hands on the film I shall leave you with a trailer; cause there are many. I think the films strengths ring true here. And it is made quite clear just how great this film is from this small taste . Enjoy!



Ps. Soundtrack is amazing. And if you are itching to watch it, which you should be, IFC has picked it up and it should be able to view on the IFC. If I am not mistaken its also still running along the festival circuit think it just played at Telluride so it might be closer than you think. Happy hunting! Spread the word and enjoy!

Holy Shit...Lars Von Trier's Antichrist

I think the trailer speaks for itself, this is going to be really really good. Looks superbly executed. This is the only contemporary horror film I have been excited to see in quite a while. Take a look and enjoy.