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proggrrlI’ve put this off long enough. Have to share some movies I’ve seen recently that I’ve loved:
Over the past few weeks I’ve seen a bunch of movies, and really loved them all. I keep hearing that 2007 was a fantastic year for movies – well pretty much YES. Truth.
I’M NOT THERE – Much like my friendhollywoodgrrl, I will probably need to go back and see this one several times. Cate Blanchett is magnificent, her sly androgynous Dylan a triumph of pan-sexual intensity. This moment in Dylan’s life was really key, a true turning point in his work. CB owns it. Filmmaker Todd Haynes showers her in gorgeous B/W photography, tons of mid-1960s Federico Fellini references, oh and should I also mention all the girls flirting with her? I hope she wins some awards and whatnot – though this slashy, profound performance will live in cinema infamy regardless.
Todd Haynes, who directed and co-wrote this film, is a filmmaker I have admired/adored since his first underground/banned movie SUPERSTAR: THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY. (Now available on googlevideo in its entirety! Hurry before it gets yanked!) All my favorite Haynes’ films – SAFE, VELVET GOLDMINE, and FAR FROM HEAVEN – have poked and prodded at our culture, our entire way of life, in a variety of truly creative, original and sexy ways. This film is no different. An LA Times critic recently referred to this as an “exfoliation” of Dylan’s legend, which I find the perfect description. Don’t miss this if you like Dylan, Blanchett, music, art, film, or experimentation! Or, as one of film’s other Dylans says:
“It’s like having my today, tomorrow, and yesterday, all in the same room together.”
INTO THE WILD – Really intense, moving, gorgeous, with fantastic acting by all. Highly recommend it. Emile Hirsch was great…so was Hal Halbrook. When’s the last time HH was cast anywhere? That was almost as surprisingly brilliant as Andy Griffith in WAITRESS earlier this year (another film I highly recommend to get your romantic-dramedy-fix, girls).
LA VIE EN ROSE – I often blow off seeing films who’s single claim to buzz and fame is one acting performance. In this case though my love for Edith Piaf and her music made me dive in, rather than Marion Cotillard’s performance as Piaf (which has been getting raves since late summer). Well I’m not sure how many of you like music biopics and/or Piaf – but I highly, highly recommend this film to all of you as well as any Francophiles out there (c’mon admit it! screw that ‘Freedom Fries’ crap.) The cinematography, the script, the editing, the entire structure and energy of this film really works for Piaf. And yes, Cotillard is amazing.
ONCE – Just saw this on DVD and it was a delight. Get the soundtrack! This film has the best ending I’ve seen since BEFORE SUNSET. Yes, ProgGrrl has an easily-discernable softie streak. It’s hard to deny this sweet, ingenious little movie that manages to be both a simple ode to creative instincts, and a meet-cute-but-not-quite-romance. The music is fantastic – and I say that as a previous fan of The Frames, the Dublin band ONCE co-star Glen Hansard founded and writes/sings for. If you like this music I urge you to try The Frames CD BURN THE MAPS. Also note that Pandora has a ONCE music station you can add if you sign up (which is free and a great service btw).
JUNO - Sassy, adorkable, sweet. Loved it. Incredibly quotable. Ellen Page was so cute, Allison Janey was strong and awesome, Jennifer Garner was gutwrenching, and the film also provided my other recent favorite movie ending since BEFORE SUNSET. Wow, two in one month! *g* I really hope that the industry buzz on screenwriter Diablo Cody continues all the way to an Oscar win...not too shabby a result for a stripper-turned-blogger-turned-screenwriter -turned-EW-columnist, eh?
Also need to mention that the first hour of David Lynch’s INLAND EMPIRE was fantastic. I got tired and couldn’t hang in for the entire film in one sitting, I’ll admit that here. But it’s definitely worth seeing the first hour at the least. In particular I loved the scene which features quick cameos from Diane Ladd and (hah surprise!) William H. Macy. Hee. Before you watch the DVD make sure you run your TV through Lynch’s recalibration, offered as an extra on the disk.
[Subject line quote is from Going-Electric-Dylan in I’M NOT THERE.]
I’M NOT THERE – Much like my friend
hollywoodgrrl, I will probably need to go back and see this one several times. Cate Blanchett is magnificent, her sly androgynous Dylan a triumph of pan-sexual intensity. This moment in Dylan’s life was really key, a true turning point in his work. CB owns it. Filmmaker Todd Haynes showers her in gorgeous B/W photography, tons of mid-1960s Federico Fellini references, oh and should I also mention all the girls flirting with her? I hope she wins some awards and whatnot – though this slashy, profound performance will live in cinema infamy regardless.Todd Haynes, who directed and co-wrote this film, is a filmmaker I have admired/adored since his first underground/banned movie SUPERSTAR: THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY. (Now available on googlevideo in its entirety! Hurry before it gets yanked!) All my favorite Haynes’ films – SAFE, VELVET GOLDMINE, and FAR FROM HEAVEN – have poked and prodded at our culture, our entire way of life, in a variety of truly creative, original and sexy ways. This film is no different. An LA Times critic recently referred to this as an “exfoliation” of Dylan’s legend, which I find the perfect description. Don’t miss this if you like Dylan, Blanchett, music, art, film, or experimentation! Or, as one of film’s other Dylans says:
“It’s like having my today, tomorrow, and yesterday, all in the same room together.”
INTO THE WILD – Really intense, moving, gorgeous, with fantastic acting by all. Highly recommend it. Emile Hirsch was great…so was Hal Halbrook. When’s the last time HH was cast anywhere? That was almost as surprisingly brilliant as Andy Griffith in WAITRESS earlier this year (another film I highly recommend to get your romantic-dramedy-fix, girls).
LA VIE EN ROSE – I often blow off seeing films who’s single claim to buzz and fame is one acting performance. In this case though my love for Edith Piaf and her music made me dive in, rather than Marion Cotillard’s performance as Piaf (which has been getting raves since late summer). Well I’m not sure how many of you like music biopics and/or Piaf – but I highly, highly recommend this film to all of you as well as any Francophiles out there (c’mon admit it! screw that ‘Freedom Fries’ crap.) The cinematography, the script, the editing, the entire structure and energy of this film really works for Piaf. And yes, Cotillard is amazing.
ONCE – Just saw this on DVD and it was a delight. Get the soundtrack! This film has the best ending I’ve seen since BEFORE SUNSET. Yes, ProgGrrl has an easily-discernable softie streak. It’s hard to deny this sweet, ingenious little movie that manages to be both a simple ode to creative instincts, and a meet-cute-but-not-quite-romance. The music is fantastic – and I say that as a previous fan of The Frames, the Dublin band ONCE co-star Glen Hansard founded and writes/sings for. If you like this music I urge you to try The Frames CD BURN THE MAPS. Also note that Pandora has a ONCE music station you can add if you sign up (which is free and a great service btw).
JUNO - Sassy, adorkable, sweet. Loved it. Incredibly quotable. Ellen Page was so cute, Allison Janey was strong and awesome, Jennifer Garner was gutwrenching, and the film also provided my other recent favorite movie ending since BEFORE SUNSET. Wow, two in one month! *g* I really hope that the industry buzz on screenwriter Diablo Cody continues all the way to an Oscar win...not too shabby a result for a stripper-turned-blogger-turned-screenwriter -turned-EW-columnist, eh?
Also need to mention that the first hour of David Lynch’s INLAND EMPIRE was fantastic. I got tired and couldn’t hang in for the entire film in one sitting, I’ll admit that here. But it’s definitely worth seeing the first hour at the least. In particular I loved the scene which features quick cameos from Diane Ladd and (hah surprise!) William H. Macy. Hee. Before you watch the DVD make sure you run your TV through Lynch’s recalibration, offered as an extra on the disk.
[Subject line quote is from Going-Electric-Dylan in I’M NOT THERE.]
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no subject
Date: 2008-01-07 07:56 pm (UTC)I remember wanting to read the book way back when the book first came out. Now, I really want to read the book.
And Emile Hirsch deserves many awards and nominations.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-07 09:26 pm (UTC)Ha. This was exactly my experience, and I'm a pretty serious Lynch fan.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-10 05:40 pm (UTC)I am too...so it took a lot, A LOT, for me to admit this on the LJ. *g*
no subject
Date: 2008-01-07 09:47 pm (UTC)If the Academy Awards happen, she's gonna get herself another Gold Man. *nods*
no subject
Date: 2008-01-10 06:21 pm (UTC)Mmmmm, Cate Blanchett...
::proggrrl is walking down the same street in the opposite direction, heading towards hollywoodgrrl::
Mmmmm, Todd Haynes...
::Not looking where they're going, the two grrls bump into each other and...::
HEY! Your BlanchettFandom is in my HaynesFandom!
HEY! Your HaynesFandom is in my BlanchettFandom!
...ooohhh...DELICIOUS!
Two great tastes that taste great together!
LOL
no subject
Date: 2008-01-10 07:42 pm (UTC)You, mah dear, are a golden goddess. I have never imagined anything more brilliant than two "grrls" hanging out due to a fandom collision.
:DDDDDDDDDDDDD
*tacklehug*
no subject
Date: 2008-01-09 06:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-10 05:52 pm (UTC)The film is such an amazingly simple, perfect ode to making music. Very pure. And for some reason it really reminded me of ALMOST FAMOUS...Something about how it just cuts to the pure beauty of the thing.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-15 05:35 am (UTC)