So, usually my Cinemusts are actually still at the cinema, but I'm making an exception today for two reasons:
1. I'm saving up my cinema dollars for the NZ Film Festival (anyone else counting down the days to opening night? Wahoo!) so it's DVDs for me for the next few weeks; 2. This film is intimate enough to enjoy on the small screen anyway.
Last night was fuh-reezing cold so I decided a little George (and some Kapiti White Chocolate and Raspberry ice cream...sigh) was just the ticket. Although it was about as far from his usual suave, ladies-man persona as he could get, The Descendants reminded me he can actually act! Gentle, funny, heartbreaking and touching, The Descendants perfectly juxtaposed the paradise that is Hawaii, with the tragedy of a marriage imploding. I cried actual tears several times, but by the end I felt satisfied and reassured that the human spirit can survive pretty much anything. Not bad for a 2hour movie. Might have been the ice cream too...
So, normally for a Cinemust post I would include the trailer, but in this instance the trailer is so poorly done that had I watched it before the film, I would have decided against it altogether. If you haven't seen the film or the trailer yet, see the film, don't watch the trailer. If you have seen the trailer already, don't hold it against this beautiful film!
The story centers around Oscar, whose dad dies in the Twin Towers in 9/11 (not a spoiler, I promise). I saw the film not knowing anymore than that and took great pleasure in watching it all unfold in front of me, so I'm not going to say anything else except it's worth paying extra to see it at the movies, and take tissues...and pee first because it is quite long. Enjoy.
This awards season, there are so many brilliant films hitting cinemas; I can't remember the last time my list of 'must-sees' was so long. I won't bore you with the whole thing, but here are a few films on the top of my list, starting with 'Like Crazy', which is out 2nd February. Two words...heartbreaking, beautiful.
George Clooney, a Hawaiian setting and a (not your usual) love story. 'The Descendants', out 26th January.
This trailer makes me smile, I can't wait to see the film; 'Vincent Wants to Sea', out 23rd February.
Annie Goldson was one of my lecturers at Auckland University, and I'm excited to see her latest documentary, due out 8th March.
As you may know from this beauty icon post, I'm a Marilyn fan and have been waiting for the release of 'My Week with Marilyn' for months now! It is finally out 8th March.
When I watch films, I love to be wowed either with a beautiful character story or gorgeous, stylish direction (or sometimes both), and I especially love it when films make the most of the possibilities of the medium of, well, film. Why not have fun with a few special effects and slick cinematography?
Over the weekend I finally got to see Hanna, a film I have had my eye on for months, and absolutely loved it. A great soundtrack, beautiful scenery, cool editing and a riveting storyline all came together brilliantly.
Saoirse Ronan plays the title character, Hanna, a 16 year girl who has lived, until now, in isolation in the forest with her father (played by Erica Bana). Without giving too much away, events bring her out into the real world to face her nemesis.
Saoirse's face is so unique, I found it impossible to look away each time she was on screen. She even manages to outshine the (weirdly grotesque-looking thanks to some strange camera angles) queen of the intelligent blockbuster Cate Blanchett.
It's not perfect, and I'm sure it was probably panned by the usual armchair critics, but it's the most film fun I've had in ages. Have you seen Hanna, Beaunz belles? What did you think?
I spent two years in Christchurch as a child, and my overriding memory (other than the painterly mountain view from our house on Huntsbury Hill) is of the beautiful buildings. The thought that many of them are no longer standing feels like I've lost a treasured heirloom, and I haven't been brave enough to go back since the earthquakes.
I cannot begin to imagine the heartache and ongoing emotional and physical battles the people of Christchurch continue to face, and this trailer fills me with such a contrast of pride and sadness. I'll be taking at least one box of tissues to the cinema when the film opens on November 24th.
I don't often get to the movies these days, so when I had the chance to catch a film by myself last weekend I wanted more than just a little escapism. I wanted bare-faced, fairytale movie magic.
Woody Allen has had a rocky run of it lately, but I loved Vicky Cristina Barcelona and I'm a huge francophile, so Midnight in Paris was an easy choice. It was an absolute delight!
The thing I love about Woody Allen films is that the most likeable character is always the location. He falls madly in love with a city, woos us with its beauty and charm, throws in a few believably flawed characters for the purpose of story, and gives it all some room for magic to happen.
Midnight in Paris follows Owen Wilson's self-absorbed character Gil Bender back to the golden age of 1920s Paris, where he meets just about every creative genius of the time. Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso and (played brilliantly by Adrian Brody) Salvador Dali, among others, are brought back to life. Marion Cotillard plays the artists' muse beautifully and, despite deciding early on that I didn't like him at all, I found myself hoping for a happy resolution to Gil's adventure.
Easy to watch and easy to love, Midnight in Paris has also inspired me to revisit all the old masters, starting with 'Tender is the Night'. The only thing I'm missing is a Cole Porter record, so I'm off to the local Salvation Army shop. Get thee to a cinema and indulge in some movie magic yourself.
I only went to one film at the NZ Film Festival this year, despite ear marking half a dozen. With just one opportunity to escape the house, I chose Florian Habicht's Love Story which opened the festival and, like everyone that night, was emotionally tickled and moved.
The concept is so simple; a Choose Your Own Adventure of sorts (helloooo children of the 70s and 80s) that asked the people of New York to decide the next move in Florian's love affair with the beautiful Masha.
As well as genuinely touching revelations from the most unexpected of characters (I got chills when the psychic answered his question about what is most important in life) there were also moments of tummy-aching hilarity. I couldn't stop mentally comparing Florian to Roberto Bernigni in 'Life is Beautiful', although he oozes sex appeal whereas the latter was just wacky.
Love Story has opened at cinemas around New Zealand and I cannot urge you strongly enough to go and see it. It is a film I have thought about numerous times since and look forward to seeing again when it is released on DVD.
For international readers, I'm waiting on details of the international release and will post an update soon.
Come back and tell me what you think once you have seen it.
