Bride and Prejudice

So my apartment hosted a bit of an Indian party, complete with saris. We watched this made for America Bollywood film.

Review: Meh. Having throughly enjoyed my first Bollywood film, Kal Ho Naa Ho (see earlier blog), I was disappointed that this film seriously didn't come close to Kal Ho Naa Ho on the enjoyment scale. I was also hoping I would enjoy it more than I did because it was made by the same directors who made "Bend it like Beckham," which I enjoyed; I wasn't enthralled either but enjoyed. There were a few parts that were funny more because of how ridiculous it was (the cobra dance and the full baptist choir just singing on the beach, complete with risers), but on the whole it was lacking.

Bottom-line: As far as my Bollywood suggestions go, Kal Ho Naa Ho is the champion. One could go without this one.

Concentrate

So I've gotten a little lax in blogging about my movies. So strap if folks you're going to get a bunch of Tomoser movie reviews concentrated. It will be like drinking frozen juice from the cardboard can...strait.

Get excited.

The Manchurian Candidate

Another AFI 100 film to cross off the list. I watched this with my roommates (they came back) and some other way cool friends on Saturday.

Review: Wow. I really, really liked this movie. The plot is well thought out. The suspense is real. At the end you are completely engrossed in the story and wondering what will happen. I thought I guessed what would happen right, then a surprise! Now, there is a bit of a slow start to this film. Thankfully I had Jamie to talk through the beginning to make sure we were both aware of important points. Frank Sinatra is great, as is Lawrence Harvey. But the shock, well maybe that's not the right word, but what was so surprising was to see Angela Lansbury (who still looks old even though she's at least 30 years younger than I've ever seen her) play a fierce, driven, power-hungry character. Not only is she playing that character, she's playing it like she was born to do it. The cinematography is impressive, especially for the time. It's fantastic, you'll never look at a Queen of Diamonds the same.

Bottom-line: It's fantastic! Superb script, awesome acting, perfectly pulls you into the story plot, aesthetically pleasing cinematography (I got tired of my attempt at alliteration). Overall I completely and totally recommend this film! If you haven't seen it, go forth and rent!

August Rush

On Friday, I went to see this at Provo Towne Center with Dani, a friend of mine from back home who was also here in Provo for Thanksgiving.

Review: I really liked it. I'm not going to say that it's a spectacle. It is not a movie that I will be giddy to share with my children, but it was a good movie. I liked the music, it was really enjoyable. I've always thought that music was an essential element in life and in this movie music is what brought Keri Russell's character and Jonathan Rhys Meyers' character together and its what brings them and their son back together 11 years later. Some of the cinematography is great. I did like the opening sequence, but on the whole the beginning was a tad slow, but it wasn't too bad. The final rhapsody was fantastic! This is a good film that families can see without having to go to an animated film (nothing against animated) What I'm saying is there are few movies out there that a family can see without it being animated. Thankfully there are some out there still.

Bottom-line: I would see it. I'm not saying you need to pay full price and see it ASAP. But it's definitely worth seeing at the dollar theatre or renting it.

My Fair Lady

Here's number three on my Thanksgiving AFI 100 list. I started watching it on Wednesday night but after realizing it was almost 3 hours long finished it while digesting Thanksgiving dinner.

Review: I liked it. Audrey Hepburn gives a great performance. She truly is stunning to watch. You can't help but enjoy watching her on the screen. Rex Harrison also had a very good performance. I thought the costumes were really quite good. The songs were fun, not my favorite musical songs but fun nonetheless. I really liked the scene where she goes back to visit where she used to sell flowers. It allows the audience and Eliza to look at how she's changed.

Bottom-line: I think this would be a great film to watch when you've got a lot of time, like a rainy day or a snowday. I would recommend it, it isn't my favorite musical, but worth seeing. I would enjoy seeing it performed.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Well here's #2 for this week of AFI 100 movies. I watched this one with Bryce on his big TV.

Review: The director knew how to tell a story through film. Some of the scenes were really beautifully shot and just the scenery was really good. The friendship and the bond between Butch and Sundance is evident. Occasionally, I felt it was a little slow but I attribute that more to Bryce and I watching it during a peak nap time. The lighting was artfully done, but sometimes I was frustrated because it was so dark I couldn't really tell what was going on.

On a side-note, Bryce and I watched an interview with Paul Newman in 1994 about the film and he said something that proves Hollywood isn't what it used to be. He said something along the lines of whomever they got to act the movie it would have gone over about the same, because of George the Director. I just don't think you would see that in today's Hollywood.

Bottom-line: Good movie, not my favorite but definitely worth watching. Redford and Newman demonstrate their great chemistry, which would follow in The Sting. Plus who can deny watching such handsome men as Newman and Redford? Not I.

The Philadelphia Story

This Thanksgiving I found myself without roommates in Provo. So I decided to have a theme for myself this weekend, watch as many AFI 100 films that I haven't seen as possible. So here is the first movie on the list.

Review: I loved this movie! The script is fantastic. It's witty and captivating. Some of the lines, are pure script bliss. You don't know exactly what's going to happen, until it happens! Katherine Hepburn gives a captivating performance. Cary Grant is handsome and I just love watching James Stewart. It is rightfully on the AFI 100.

Bottom-line: So good, please please go see it! It's a great one.

Sliding Doors

Oh, Sliding Doors. I actually watched this film on Nov. 10th, I've just been busy. Sarah and I have watched this movie many, many times together. At one point it was practically on a monthly basis.

Review: The basic jist of the film is we get to watch Gwyneth Paltrow's character live two separate lives. One where she catches the train and comes home to her boyfriend with another woman. The other where she misses the train and is mugged. The audience gets to watch the two separate lives evolve in parallel.

One reason I like this movie is Paltrow's character is in public relations. Also, the relationship between Paltrow's character and her best friend is fun. It's easy for Sarah and I to see parallels, when we both emulate both of the characters. It's set in England. Although, I'd say it's a more drama/romance film, there are some hilarious lines. Finally, although the premise of the movie isn't plausible, the characters, emotions and situations are real.

Bottom-line: I realize that some of the reasons I like the film, may not apply to everyone. But it's interesting to see the different lives Paltrow's character leads just because of catching/missing the train. It's fun to think about in our own lives, (but don't do it for too long, you could go crazy). I recommend it but would understand if you don't love it as much as I do.

Two Weeks Notice

This is one of the films that I own. I've had it for awhile but cannot recall when I got it. Anyway, I watched it yesterday while completing an Art project for my humanities class. Having seen it a number of times, I figured it was a good choice for a film to watch while working.

Review: Such a great movie! The dialogue is fantastic! Hugh Grant's character George, has some of the most hilarious lines ever. Sandra Bullock's character Lucy has a fair few as well. Some of my favorites being:

(Lucy has just had water poured on her)
George: This hanky is very nearly clean. I'm going to dab you. Blow.

Lucy: I think you are the most selfish person on the planet.
George: Well that's just silly-Have you met everyone on the planet?

George: Well surely not all boats?
Lucy: (In British accent) Yes, all boats.

Bottom-line: This is a good romantic comedy that I think guys will enjoy more than many others. Go see it!

A Room with a View

My roommate Jamie and I went to go see this at International Cinema on Friday (I'm a tinge behind).

Review: I liked it. Period pieces can be quite enjoyable when done well, as this one is. It's fun to see the differences between George and Cecil. I love how Cecil thinks that he is some great romancer, when he's completely...blah. One of my favorite moments was after Cecil asks permission to kiss Lucy, he basically stands still he was like a dead fish. Made me laugh.

Bottom-line: Good stuff, I didn't run out of the theatre thinking I'm putting this on my favorite list stat. But make no mistake I enjoyed the film.

A Mighty Wind

This has been on the list of movies I need to watch forever and can finally be checked off.

I liked it! It's a mockumentary about various 60s folk singers coming together for a concert in NYC in honor of their late manager. Christopher Guest is brilliant with his work. There is a general plan and outline for the movie and what to accomplish in the various scenes but there is no script, no direct dialogue. It relies on the actors being in character to behave and say what their character would do. I was really impressed. Some of the stuff is SO funny! Eugene Levy...oh...my...gosh, so funny. Some of the humor is sublte but it's there and awesome if you catch it. Although as I said I did like it, I believe it is a film that grows in appreciation and enjoyment each time you watch it. So I look forward to watching it again to enjoy it even more.

Bottom-line: Very quotable and funny. Go watch it!

Pleasantville

This was the first time seeing this movie all the way through. I'd seen selections in class and once while flipping channels. One reason I wanted to watch it was in my Adobe Publishing class I learned that Photoshop was used on each frame to make the individual items or people in color. Which I have a lot of respect for that kind of work, being more familiar with Photoshop.

Overall I liked the movie. I wasn't crazy about it, but I am far from hating it. At points I felt it was a little slow. I also felt the main character shifted from Reese Witherspoon's character to Tobey Maguire's. The overall concept of be all that you can be, by being all of you I support. It's okay, no great to have to different emotions such as angry, silly, sexy or ecstatic. Life that is only pleasant, is boring. You need the sad times to enjoy the felicitous. At the same time looking at the specifics of how the movie told this point, I do not agree with the pre-marital sex nor the extramarital sex. I also really didn't like the last shot. Plus I loved the way the black and white to color visualization to illustrate everything.

Bottom-line: I'm glad I watched it, I don't want to own it and don't know how willing I would be to watch it again if someone suggested it. The overall theme I support and enjoyed and as I said how it tells a story visually is a nice element.

Beauty and the Beast

Just winding up the day with a great Disney movie.

I love this movie. It has a great story and amazing music. Plus as I've gotten older I realized that it also has great shots from different angles. This movie makes me want to be Belle. The music is so good it's impossible not to sing along.

Bottom-line: If you haven't seen this movie yet, where have you been?!? You must watch it and this is a movie that is always enjoyable to watch again and again.

Other notes: My brother is in this for his high school musical right now. Go cheese grater! Also, I won a Beauty and the Beast coloring contest as a kid!

Kal Ho Naa Ho

Sarah found a clip of one of the dance scenes on Youtube from the film and we enjoyed it throughly. Always curious as to what the rest of the movie entailed. Then Sarah gave it to me for Christmas last year.

So long, but so good! It's a 3 hour movie and therefore last night was the second time I watched it. Sarah and I put it on late last night with the expectation we would fall asleep, but it's such a good story we couldn't fall asleep. The song and dance numbers are really fun. The story is touching, but a little over the top. It is fairly dramatic and I don't know how easy it would be for a guy to enjoy it. The movie is in English and in Hindi, so subtitles are must.

Bottom-line: Long but very good. If you are okay with subtitles and up for a good story, watch it!

The Holiday

This was my second time watching this film and it was just as enjoyable if not more than the first.

I love this film! The script is smart and complete, really well written. The characters have depth and are relatable. You want them to be happy, you care about them. I'm a big fan of music and am interested in the sound aspect of movies and the score fluidly coincides with the film fabulously. I also really enjoyed having the movie business be a component of the film.

Yes, it's a chick flick. But it's a really good one.

Bottom-line: See it, it's great! I need to own it.

Across the Universe

The first time I saw the trailer I was so excited but feared it would be rated R. Upon finding out it wasn't and receiving the soundtrack from my tech savvy brother, I became quite excited.

But alas, disappointment ensued.

I saw it at Provo Towne Center with Sarah and Ryan on Sept. 28. The film was visually beautiful. BUT, the plot was weak. Character development...nonexistent. Julie Tamor (director) shouldn't be reverred, the musical arranger should. The music was phenomenal. Thankfullly the movie hasn't ruined my enjoyment of the soundtrack.

Sum up: For those who were intrigued by the trailer, save your money and put your Beatles music on shuffle on iTunes.

One thing leads to another...

After I started my original blog and began posting the movie poster of the last movie I had seen, I'd thought about making a blog of movie reviews. Now upon suggestion of a friend to put a review under my "last movie I saw" portion of my blog, I've decided to finally follow through with my idea and start a new blog about my thoughts on these movies. So enjoy!