Arielle's Film Blog

A Single Man

2010-03-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

Most films produced these days for mass audiences have lots of action, crazy effects, high drama or over the top humour. Sometimes the combo is just right (eg The Hangover, Pineapple Express) but mostly 'blockbuster' films spoon feed the audience and sometimes the result for me is much tisking and huffing and puffing due to the cliche and predictability (eg Avatar, Couples Retreat) Anyhoo, A Single Man is at the other end of the spectrum. Immaculately art directed by fashionista Tom Ford, it has elements of Man Men, The Graduate, a pinch of Wes Anderson creepyness and lots of aesthetically pleasing moments. The story is simple, played out over a single day, but alot can happen in a day and our single man experiences intense feelings, numbness, emotions, hypersensitivity, lust, memories, grief, hope and love on this big day. I was completely sucked in and relished every moment of this film. Colin Firth should have got the Big O. And Julianne Moore as always, is elegant and messy all at once - which is a great art to master (I try...) Movies like this don't come along very often so I can't recommend it highly enough. But for those of you who love blockbuster/action flicks and find 'internal' films a bore, give this one a miss. 4/5

Alice in Wonderland

2010-03-07T22:55:00.000-08:00

I think I'll always be smitten by Tim Burton's muse - Johnny Depp - and his wonderful wife - Helena Bonham Carter. They are both so absolutely ego-free and delicious in this flick, as are the effects, costumes and Burton's treatment of the story. The only oddity was Anne Hathaway with her floating arms and unbelievable manifestation of the 'good' queen. Pity I wanted her to end up headless like many of the other victims of the Queen of Hearts in Wonderland. I would love to have Johnny over for goulash some time to just stare at him in wonderment at how he can pull off the characters he does, whilst licking up my paprika sauce. This film was delightful, simply delightful. (Paul: read Awesome) Moving even. But you gotta have a thing for the dark, quirky, slightly unnerving, kinda corny but uplifting films of Tim Burton. 3/5.

The Ultimate Wave Tahiti

2010-03-07T22:45:00.000-08:00

If you love to surf, or are a wannabe surfer, if you dig 3D flicks or like well made docos then you'll enjoy this short flick (must see at Imax). My review will be a little skewed as I saw this just after returning from Samoan paradise and this just brought it all back. Plus, watching the Kman sway and gasp when the tubes curled towards us was thoroughly amusing, so that added to my enjoyment. Then there's the piercing blue eyes, 6 pack and elegant style of Kelly, the natural vibe and surf expertise of the family he surfs with and the intimacy this film allows with it's on-the-road-for-The-Search-with-Kelly style. There were some animated bits that were a tad superfluous and interrupted the flow at times. It's hard to imagine that this is how a surfer's life can be, but having just lived it to some extent in Samoa I can tell you, this gets you close to the feeling of the eternal Search and the rewards that come if you wait, wait, wait. See it with a surfer or go and wipe out at Bondi or Tama to get in the zone. 3.5/5

Addictive TV Series for Rainy Days

2010-02-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

Any time it's raining cats n dogs, or you find your best friend is the hot water bottle, there's nothing like a juicy, entertaining series to while the hours away. This is my biggest indulgence, other than my usual dose of movies. Thought I'd share my favourites with y'all to keep in mind when you're hard up. In no particular order:
1. Sopranos
2. Love My Way
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm
4. Man Men
5. Sex In The City
6. Seinfeld
7. Entourage
Enjoy!

Grey Gardens

2010-02-23T22:05:00.000-08:00

Geez I love a good doco and this is a 'dramatisation' of the making of a 1975 doco about a very unique mother and daughter, so I was immersed and entranced by Grey Gardens from start to finish. Big Edie and Little Edie Beale came from high society so the only way is down once the man of the house bails and Big Edie's kids all move out of home. Little Edie, played with such vigour and not a touch of vanity, by Drew Barrymore, slowly but surely gets sucked into her Mother's needs and lifestyle. And before long the two of them are living amongst raccoons and cats in the family home which becomes so decrepit and disgusting that visitors have to cover their mouths when they enter. Thing is, Grey Gardens is who they are so there'll be no moving these two. They are discovered when a film crew follow their cousin - Jacqueline Bouvier (Kennedy) - who with much horror visits the house and does her best not to puke at the front door. The film makers didn't have to do too much convincing to get the cameras up to the room where the Beales co-existed - Little Edie after 50 years still had dreams of being in showbiz so saw this as her big chance. This movie will put some to sleep, but I found it totally compelling and will be watching the original 1975 doco in the coming weeks if anyone is interested in joining me. 4/5

TOP 20 FILMS TO SEE!

2010-01-26T22:53:00.000-08:00

Since I'm heading off to Samoa next week (until 19th Feb) I couldn't leave you for so long without posting my first, of what I'm sure will be a very conentious, TOP 20 MUST SEE films. DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind that films are subjective and the viewer upon repeat viewings, or depending on whether one is hormotional at the time, may change their rating at will. Films may also feature in this list because the creator is smitten with one of it's stars. Top 20 films not in any particular order, and not grouped by genre or date of release.
These films all touched me in some way at the time and have certainly left their mark. I have another 50-100 films which I will list in the coming months. This is just to keep you from going crazy staring at the B-grade overnighters when there are such dusty gems waiting to be rescued from the weekly/cult/classic shelves at your local shop. ENJOY! I look forward to your comments.
1. The Graduate
2. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
3. Fargo
4. Stand By Me
5. Into The Wild
6. The Year My Voice Broke
7. Once
8. Frida
9. Talk to Her
10. Play Misty For Me
11. Splendour in The Grass
12. Thelma & Louise
13. Dangerous Liaisons
14. BIG
15. Dirty Dancing
16. ET
17. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Original)
18. Tootsie
19. Saturday Night Fever
20. Amadeus
*Special Thanks go out to my sister Nadine for her suggestions, Bella and Alice for their 2 cents worth, Sarah for her yet to be properly reviewed list, Tanya my serious film buddy friend and her comprehensive list, Alan for his list and film banter, and finally, my Dad - for nurturing me with classics from a young age and a passion for great films.

14.

Up In The Air

2010-01-26T22:44:00.001-08:00

George Clooney - swoon. Recently retrenched people - keeping it real. Airports and fluffy hotel pillows and plane views...makes me want to travel. The perky, naiive assistant who gets messy and injects some fun and drama into the film - essential.
Why I writing in such a way - cos I've had a full on day and really felt I needed to get this out before it faded too much. The reviews - full of hype and big stars. The experience - didn't really live up to it. Would I save this one for DVD? Yes. Will you love it if, like my mate Brett, you live in airports half the year? Yes (he really LOVED it so I will now have to start calling him Clooney) Will you be satisfied if all you need to enjoy a film a good looking guy who is also very 'human', a decent storyline with witty dialogue and the occasional bit of raunch? YES. So it may tick alot of boxes for many, but for me, another elegant, mature but forgettable flick. I wouldn't book the babysitters to rush out for this one. 2.5/5.

Taking Woodstock

2010-01-18T22:46:00.000-08:00

Pity this film was soooo slow to begin with cos the 2nd half is a completely different film. This is based on the true story of a Jewish family who loaned their run-down hotel out to the organisers of the Woodstock Festival, and without realising it played a pivotal part in music's history. I really adore films set in the 60s-70s, so many great outfits and the soundtracks are often a treat. This one delivered on this front, and had some really likeable characters. The dude who spear headed Woodstock was way cool and dreamy, and his tassled vest and white boy afro swept back as he travelled from A to B on horseback. Far out man, cool. And the Jewish son, who convinced his parents that the festival would be good for the town and then was derided by all the locals who were overun by these 'crazy hippies' was very sweet and gets all tripped out during his 'introduction' to free love and LSD on his way to the festival.
I dug it, and am now gonna watch the real thing - Woodstock the Festival - to get my fill of all things hippy, radical, peace loving and vibrational. 3/5 for the 2nd half of this movie only.

District 9

2010-01-18T22:39:00.000-08:00

WOW, loved this one. Peter Jackson produced it (King Kong, Lord of Rings) and you can feel his artistry during this epic experience. It's set in Jo-berg so you've got alot of aparthied storyline stuff going on with these 'prawn' aliens who are stranded on planet earth. District is not for the faint hearted (tho I've seen much gorier films) and you defintely wanna see it on a BIG screen with good sound to get right into it. Clever usage of documentary style filming and interviews up front before things get hairy, this film packs a punch and the main guy is really, really good. He goes through such a full on journey during this film, and as anti-hero, you end up rooting for him despite an ever increasing sense of dread on his behalf. I kept asking Kman - who'd already seen it - whether this or that was about to happen, I couldn't stand the suspense! And a few times I had to close my eyes or grab onto him cos I was so freaked out. But in a good way! I love a good freak out. So that gets this film 2, the effects get 1, and the main guy gets 1 for being so believable. A whopping 4/5!

Young Victoria

2010-01-18T22:32:00.000-08:00

CHICK FLICK ALERT!! We nearly trampled the only guy in the house when he walked in right at the point where flesh met flesh ... took almost an hour to get here so interruptions were not welcome at this point! This is a pensive, aesthetically pleasing period film with one of my favourites - Emily Blunt - and a handsome lad who was set to task by his stroppy Father to steal her heart. Well he got Ems going, and he got us too - we were oohing and aaahing us girls and there were a few tears when their lips finally did meet. Ahhh, do love a quiet period film, all the frills and flushed breasts, elegant horses and shiny table wear and the occasional bit of pianola after dinner or castrati at the opera. Karim would have lasted, let's see, 15 minutes before snoring along to this one. But on a rainy day with some hot chocolate and hankies and friends this one's a winner. Unfortunately, as period films go, and I've seen alot, this could've had more fire and ice. Stay tuned for my must see film list including a few period films that are simply so decadent and grimy, they'll make you want to go all Elizabethan or learn how to fence. 2 & 3/4/5
PS if you object to my giving quartely increments of points, please let me know. I've had 1 objection to date so am taking this very seriously!

The Soloist

2010-01-18T22:25:00.001-08:00

This movie had some nice pacing, and Jamie Fox is very believable in this role as virtoso cellist with schitzophrenia. Robert Downey Jnr isn't my favourite dude in film. I always seem to be able to SEE him acting, as opposed to being able to suspend my disbelief and really get lost in his characters' worlds. Maybe I'm just suspicious of him cos of the whole come back thing and how Hollywood (similar to us Aussie's) love a battle,r and how he keeps getting juicy role after role when there are so many other great actors out there. Anyhoo, he did ok in this, and he's good vulnerability and messyness and I like that about this film, despite being aware of the formula in it. It was pretty gritty, and I always love Catherine Keener who featured a bit in this. And while the ending was a bit cleaner than I expected, it is a mainstream film afterall, it was generally a satisfying experience. Will I remember it well in a year's time? Doubt it. 2.5/5.

Bright Star

2010-01-12T18:41:00.000-08:00

Jane Campion must love REAL people. Think The Piano and My Brilliant Career. Her protagonists, often women, are not afraid of who they are or what they say, despite the conventions or etiquette of the time. Abbie Cornish is lovely in her soulful way (I've not seen her do a dud movie yet) and her Keats is equally textured, sweaty, tussled and just so believeable. You don't have to be a Keates or poetry fan to enjoy this film, although I must warn you it's quite long and not action packed. But herein lies its success. The journey we're taken on with these two lovebirds is so compelling and heart felt that you're happy for it to just go on with a few little outbursts of passion, sickness, sunshine and thunder along the way. These two have such a thirst for one another and feel such aches when they're apart. I feel that unless you've experienced this tortured kind attraction you will think these kids are simply hyperventillating and should just take a chill pill or find some other flesh to satisfy their fantasies. If you like a good love story that unfolds with a tender touch and aesthetically pleasing imagery as a backdrop to real characters who don't easily fall into cliche, then you'll enjoy Bright Star (take some snacks and empty your bladder before you get in!) I give it 3/5.

An Education

2009-12-23T16:53:00.002-08:00

An Education - was very aesthetically pleasing with lush styling from the early 60s and lots of sparkly things, red lippy and vintage wear for eye candy. I believed the characters and there was lots to relate to (eg 16 year old school girl with raging hormones keen to break out of her star pupil ways and experience the bigger world and all of its temptations) plus an unexpected turn towards the end which was very satisfying. I love being surprised by a storyline, even when in retrospect the twist seems so obvious. I give this film 3.5 / 5

500 Days of Summer

2009-12-23T16:52:00.002-08:00

500 Days of Summer wasn’t quite as good as I had expected but that’s what you get for reading reviews and believing the hype. While it was a tad predictable, it had some nice quirky elements and I still have a bit of a crush on both leads. Great for a rainy DVD afternoon. 2.5/5.

The September Issue

2009-12-23T16:52:00.001-08:00

The September Issue was entertaining, light, funny in parts and somewhat revealing. However, as candid as some of the interviewees were, Ana Wintour was fairly guarded and seemed determined to keep the audience at a distance. Afterall, when someone has a camera in their space, they’re not going to turn into a monster for all the world to see, unless it’s some awful reality TV show where the cameras are hidden to encourage participants to slowly let the skeletons out of their dark closets. 2.5/5

Coco Avant Chanel

2009-12-23T16:51:00.000-08:00

Coco was entertaining enough (if not forgettable) and Audrey in Chanel is really moving art (though she could beef up a bit, would put some colour in her cheeks!) The film did, however, leave me craving for more on the metamorphosis of this inspirational lady…2.5/5 for Coco . A must for fashionistas or Audrey Tautou fans.

Elegy

2009-12-23T16:49:00.000-08:00

Elegy was a contemplative love story with again much eye candy c/- Penelope Cruz and lots of warm moments. I left the film feeling light, a bit sad, satisfied and thoughtful. Still, the movie goes on my ‘forgettable’ list…just another 2.5/5

Adventureland

2009-12-23T16:36:00.000-08:00

If you liked Knocked Up/Superbad/PineappleExpress...then this film features some of those actors, some of the Saturday Night Live Cast, was Directed by Superbad's Director (if you haven't seen it yet, it's a very sweet and funny film about being young, naiive and hormotional) and some youngins who are very believeable. This is an overnighter right now but I got it for free from my local OOVIE box. You gotta love that! Anyhoo, Karim was in tears cos he spent many heated days at the Darling Harbour fun park in his adolesence - you know those days where you can smell the heat rising up from the ground, and everything is sticky - and this film is set in a fun park so there's lots of shenanigans going on. I remember being at luna park and narrowly avoiding a kid's projectile spew after coming off the Love Machine. Well these guys live at the park all summer and when they're not avoiding spew, they're getting drunk/stoned, falling in love and realising that even the shittest environments can sprout some beautiful life if you give it a chance. This is by no means a rush out and grab it film, I waited months until I decided to give it a go, but I really enjoyed it and will look forward to seeing what young Jesse Eisenberg does next. 3/5.

Broken Embraces

2009-12-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

Ever since I saw Pedro Almodovar's Talk To Her I've been under the Pedro spell. This film so moved and inspired me, it was quickly added to my 'top 10 must see films' and I've been holding out for an experience of the same intensity every since. So you can hardly imagine the anticipation with which I entered the cinema for the special champagne screening of his latest film. Hmmmm, once you've achieved magnificence, there's only one direction to go from there, and unfortunately Pedro is not winning me over with his latest efforts. Some people grow more beautiful talented as they age and Penelope Cruz is such a eye pleaser, it's easy to be distracted by her and abandon your care for the story. However, when I found myself shifting in my seat 3/4 through, and then getting myself ready for the inevitable twist, I started huffing and puffing a bit about the tedium and mechanics of it all and I could be distracted no longer. This film has some lovely imagery, panting, sweaty embraces and the always delicious Spanishness that makes me want to immediately run away to drink red by the Spanish sea side. But it's not Pedro's finest and while I still hold out hope to one day be moved to heaving tears, I wouldn't rush out to see this one. 1 for Spain, 1 for Penelope and 1/2 for the main guy who had a twinkle in his blind eye - 2.5/5.

Avatar

2009-12-23T16:07:00.000-08:00

Well this film was really very visually stunning as you've probably heard. It causes me some discomfort when animation 'moves' me, but I gotta say, I was moved! But while the film was in 3D and the images were crystal clear (I even waved my arms about to stop the snow flakes falling on me!) why oh why do these movies have to have such 2D characters - so cliched, such basic dialogue, so predictable. I wonder if Michelle Rodrigues will do anything else but look tough in a sweaty white singlet, chewing gum and rolling her eyes at how daft everyone is in her world. Sam Worthington really carries this film. He's certainly a star on the rise. And Karim and I have been mimiking the tall blue creatures ever since, with their hissing, outbursts of rage and lost world kind of accents. It's hard for a movie like this to live up to all the hype, so be sure to stop anyone who tries to tell you anything about it and go out and decide for yourself if it's worth the $300-$500M spent on it. Films like this always make me think about all the homeless and less fortunate folk out there and how on earth such money can be spent when there's so much suffering. But then a film like this serves to delight, entertain and transport us out of our daily lives, and this is a wonderful thing. Sam gets 1 point, the blue creatures and their amazing universe get 1, and because the animation moved me, I'm reluctantly giving it 3/5.

Julie & Julia

2009-12-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd post some of my earlier reviews fromm 2009....enjoy!
Bianca described it well by saying it was ambling. So while we all delighted in the visual delights of the culinary scenes and I especially enjoyed Meryl Streep feeding herself with such abandon and delight, I did find myself thinking about the time about two thirds in and that’s not a good thing! Movies should leave you gushing for more and I was simply just satisfied with this one and happy to leave once it was over. So in all, entertaining but another forgettable film: 2 & ¾ /5.
PS if you object to my giving quartely increments of points, please let me know. I've had 1 objection to date so am taking this very seriously!

The Informant

2009-12-22T21:21:00.000-08:00

I really do love it when a handsome actor allows himself to be frumpy and daggy, and I'm not talking about Russell Crowe. While he's made a career out of elephant like characters, he's certainly not one of my favourites! I'm talking about Matt Damon. My good friend Rob asked me this morning if he's ever done a bad film. While I was able to conjure up the film he starred in with Greg Kinnear as co-joined brothers (which actually was watchable to the end but please don't rush out to get this from the weekly shelf too soon!), Matty is really consistent and always so good in the roles he plays. I knew I'd enjoy this flick - as I tend to really like office type dramas/comedies with a twist - see All the Presidents Men and the more recent Shattered Glass for two good ones. I loved the styling of this film, very early 90s drab glam. And the music was whimsical and silly but that totally matched what we were seeing on screen. I don't want to give too much away as it's really worth seeing and now I'm compelled to google this chap who certainly got himself into a lot of hot water by trying to do what he thought was the right thing. Pretty forgettable overall, but like the road-trip Maccas burger and fries - a reliable pleaser that's not too heavy if you're in the right mood. 3/5.