Ma Vie en Cinémascope

Movie Review : Into the Vault

2011-06-16T00:35:00.003-04:00

Today, I'm jumping back into my time machine to take a look at Francois Truffaut's 1959 New Wave classic, 400 Blows, starring Jean-Pierre Leaud. The movie details the misadventures of Antoine, a young French boy, struggling to deal with the oppression and expectations of the adults in his life.

I felt that this movie was quite heartbreaking. The way this poor boy is viewed by the adults in his life is quite unfortunate. He does not mean to be a troublemaker or criminal but by being oppressed and judged by his parents and teachers, he feels that he is forced to act out more as a result. Often times, the things that get him into trouble seem completely innocent to him at first. For example, lighting the candle in his room as a tribute to the author Honore de Balzac and having it start a fire in his room or plagiarizing the author’s work in a class assignment. He is simply unaware of the consequences of his actions and has no one to guide him or teach him how to act.

The sets were very interesting in this movie. Often, we see the main character, Antoine, in small, tight spaces, such as his tiny bedroom. This could be to symbolize the fact that he is trapped by the confines that the adults in his environment have placed on him. He is not free to grow and learn in his own way and is forced to adhere to their specific ideas for how they want him to be, which causes him a lot of angst.

The final scene is quite sad. After escaping the juvenile detention center he has been sent to, Antoine runs to the sea and stops at the water, looking directly at the camera. His expression seems to tell the audience that he knows he will be caught and that he knows he is in a lot of trouble. There is also an interesting contrast at this point to the beginning of the film. Instead of being caught in the confines of the city, Antoine is in the country, on the edge of the infinite sea. He is freer than he has ever been and yet still trapped.

Movie Review

2011-06-06T12:43:00.004-04:00

Time to step back into this decade. Today, I'm looking at one of the most anticipated movies of the summer, X-Men: First Class, starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender as young Professor X and Magneto respectively. I had extremely high hopes for this movie for a while now and am pleased to report that I was not disappointed.

Often times in these types of films, acting ability takes a backseat to special effects and intense action sequences. This is where this movie rises above typical super-hero action movies. Each one of the characters was perfectly cast and managed to add a new depth to their role. McAvoy is compassionate and understanding as Xavier, Kevin Bacon is devilish and frightening as the villain Sebastian Shaw and each of the young mutants manage to balance their eagerness with their own insecurities and inhibitions in a way that is believable and relatable.

The standout performance in the film belongs to Michael Fassbender as Erik Leshner or, Magneto. With such an emotionally charged role, it would have been easy to over exaggerate and become a melodramatic mess. Fassbender, however, manages to embody the role perfectly. He provides just the right amount of anger, aggressiveness and pain without becoming a joke. We are shown why Magneto acts the way he does and are able to understand him more, rather than just fearing him. On top of all that, he's also a total badass.

The weak link in the film is definitely January Jones as Emma Frost. She has an incredibly limited range in emotion. It's nearly impossible to see the difference between her happy, annoyed, angry and sad faces. Thankfully she wasn't a very important figure in the film because it would have seriously brought down the rest of the film.

Overall, this was an excellent film. The action had purpose and was never gratuitous, the characters were well written and the plot was engaging. A fun time is sure to be had by all who see this film.

Movie Review : Into the Vault

2011-06-02T15:28:00.003-04:00

Today I'm looking at Albert Lamorisse's classic, The Red Balloon. It is very true that this film is as timeless and relevant to today’s youth as it was at the time of its original release. It seems to strike a chord with adults as much as it does with young children. It seems that children enjoy the fairytale-like qualities of the story, while adults can reminisce about their own childhoods and appreciate some of the deeper, more nuanced meanings of the story. This film was a very nice depiction of childlike innocence and wonder. The balloon seems to be a representation of the little boy’s imagination. He carries it around with him wherever he goes and it serves as a source of comfort for him.

The adults in the film have varied reactions to the balloon’s presence. Some people he passes in the street find it amusing and seem to encourage the boy’s friendship with it. Others, such as the boy’s mother or the schoolmaster, see it as a nuisance and attempt to get rid of it. It is as if they discourage imagination and are trying to force the boy to grow up.

The different locations used in the film also add to this idea of growing up and dissuading imagination. The balloon is not allowed in the church or the school. This can also be interpreted as a sort of commentary on the institutions of the church and of schools at the time. The filmmaker, Albert Lamorisse, could have been subtly trying to show the viewer that these institutions were both oppressive for the youth by adding small details like this into the film.

It is interesting to see a city as well known as Paris from the perspective of a child. We aren’t shown the very glamorous, romanticized version of the city we so often see in films. Instead, we see what everyday life is like for the boy.

The final scene in this film is an important one. After the red balloon has essentially been beaten to death by a hoard of jealous older children who have perhaps already begun to lose their sense of imagination, the young boy is rescued by a large collection of other balloons. They come together and carry him up over the city. This is a moment of pure happiness for both the boy and the audience as we see him finally rise above the oppression of the adults and the other children. He lets his imagination take him away to a better place. It’s quite magical to see the bright and beautiful colors descend upon a sort of desolate and monotone setting to lift the boy up into the air against the Paris skyline. This, along with the light and airy music definitely end the film on a triumphant note.

Movie Review : Into the Vault

2011-05-18T13:21:00.003-04:00

Today, I'm going to take a look at Jean Vigo's Zero de conduite (1933). The film chronicles a group of mischievous friends' misadventures at their strict boarding school in France.

Zero de conduite is quite an interesting look at youth and the school system in France at in the 1930s. Vigo most definitely makes it seem more appealing to be a child. The majority of adults shown in this film seem joyless, oppressive and mean-spirited. It really shows us what life is like for the children through their eyes with the way the film was shot and edited. Things always seem to happen very quickly and suddenly. We jump from one shot to another without many graceful transitions. This is Vigo’s way of showing the audience how a child thinks. There is not much order or reason to their thoughts. The quick transitions show how short their attention span can be and how quickly they jump from one thought or activity to another.

The setting is also quite important in this film. It is very stark and dreary. It really reflects many of the adults present in the film. This emphasizes the oppressive, prison-like feel of the school.

The soundtrack is further used to create a distinction between the children and adults. When the youngsters are out playing or wandering through the town beside the school, the music is light, airy and playful. However, when adults are around, there is almost no music at all. This music is meant to be a representation of the childlike sense of fun and recreation. It’s as if the adults stop the music with their severity and desire for authority.

The ending is the most important in the film. The adults are yet again made to look like fools when their ceremony is overtaken by a group of rambunctious children. The gathering in itself is quite ridiculous. The performing acrobats and costumes that the guests wear make it look more like a sad little circus than an important formal procedure. Having the children climb up to the roof of the school and literally take power over the adults by pelting them with objects really just makes it all the more laughable.

There is some confusion at the very end of the film. The children climb up the roof, reaching for the sky, but the adults are all waiting at the window to bring them back in and reprimand them. This seems to be saying that although it is best to be a child, there always comes a time when we are forced to face the consequences of living and acting without a worry or care. We can always taste the freedom of childhood and try reaching for the sky but someone or something is always waiting to pull us back down again. In the case of the children in Vigo’s film, it seems to be the impending arrival of adulthood and responsibility.

Movie Review : Into the Vault

2011-05-11T09:26:00.004-04:00

Today, I'm going to take a look at Mike Nichols' 1967 classic, The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katherine Ross.

This movie is very relatable.I feel that the main character, Ben, deals with issues that many young people do and that his journey definitely makes you question your own life and motivations. After returning home from a very successful college experience, Ben is at a loss. He can’t seem to conceive any sort of plan for the rest of his life and is frightened by the pressure put on him by his parents and their friends. Most teenagers and young adults find themselves stunted or unsure of what to do with their lives at one point or another. It’s difficult to figure out if what we’re doing is really worthwhile, or if we’re actually doing what we want and not what our parents feel we should be doing. I feel that by having a main character so real and relatable, we are able to see his point of view clearly and identify with him very well.

Water is a very important element in this film. It is used to show how Ben is overwhelmed by pressure and anxiety. Take, for example, the scene in which he is forced to show off his new scuba suit to his parent’s friends. Here, he is forced to do something he does not want to do and feels alone and isolated. He jumps into the pool and sinks to the bottom. It seems that he is trapped or drowning in indecision and unease. It also seems to be raining heavily whenever he is in an uncomfortable situation, like when Mrs. Robinson gets into his car after he is expecting it to be Elaine. The stormy weather seems to be a projection of the inner turmoil he is struggling with.

I find the final scene in this movie to be very important. After stealing Elaine away from her wedding and getting on to a bus, the reality of his situation finally sinks in. Ben is back to where he started. He has no real plan or direction and the audience becomes aware of this as a look of panic or even regret washes over his face. It’s an unfortunate reality he must face now that he has realized that the fairytale life he had planned for Elaine and himself is not as tangible as he first thought.

Movie Review : Into the Vault

2011-04-28T20:44:00.005-04:00

Today, I want to take a look at one of my favourite movies by one of my favourite directors, Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream. It is such a gripping film. Its look into the world of addiction, ranging from food and television to diet pills and heroin, is one that is so intense and yet scarily relatable at the same time. The main characters are not depicted as good-for-nothing junkies intent on ruining their lives. They are people trying to make better lives for themselves who get mixed up in the process.

The final sequence in the film leaves your heart aching with pity for the four main characters. Seeing each one curl up into fetal position, completely alone is quite tragic. Each one gave in to their addiction while trying to reach their dream and now they are powerless to it. Marion (Jennifer Connelly) sells her body for a fix, Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) is in jail, Harry (Jared Leto) lost his arm and his mother, Sara (Ellen Burstyn), lost her mind.

I found the progression of the film was very interesting. The changing season were used to represent the characters’ descent into addiction. The film begins in summer. The colors are bright and each of the characters is filled with some sort of ambition and optimism. As the plot progresses and seasons change from summer to fall, the colors become more dull as the audience realizes hope is nearly lost for any of the protagonists. Finally in winter, when they have each hit rock bottom, the screen is washed out and almost completely devoid of any color or warmth.

I also found the editing in this movie to be exceptional. For instance, the scene in which Sara goes to the doctor after she begins to suspect something is wrong with her, Aronofsky uses a fisheye lens and speeds up the sequence. This is to show what sort of speed-induced frenzy the woman is in. The sharp cutting and editing of the film in general show what being in the mind of a junkie is like. Everything is sudden and jarring. It can be quite intense, even unsettling at times. All of his camerawork, lighting and editing is so carefully thought out and considered to extend the emotions and themes of each scene beyond the actors themselves. It is brilliant.

The film will definitely not leave viewers with a warm, happy feeling in their stomachs, however it will make them reflect upon our culture and daily habits. It’s riveting style and raw look at the themes it addresses definitely make it a film not to be missed.

Movie Review : Into the Vault

2011-04-25T01:08:00.003-04:00

Today I'll take a look at Catherine Hardwicke's Thirteen, starring Holly Hunter, Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed. The story follows Tracy's (Wood) relationship with her mother (Hunter) and her descent into drugs and sex after she befriends the seductive Evie (Reed).

This film was a difficult one to get into. While the acting was quite strong, I found the plot and the main character, Tracy’s decent into drugs and other wild teenage behavior a bit far-fetched. When we first see Tracy, she is polite and sweet with pigtails in her hair. Before you know it, she’s dropping acid in the park, stealing wallets and wearing provocative clothing. I suppose sudden change was meant to create a more gripping and edgy feel to the movie, but I found a more gradual transition from a good girl to an out of control wild child would have been more realistic and perhaps more effective and engaging. The audience would have time to appreciate and understand Tracy’s character instead of immediately judging her as being wild, unappreciative and rude.

Although I was not a huge fan of the story, I found the editing and camera work to be quite effective. The use of a handheld camera for most of the film was an interesting way of creating a unique perspective for the audience. The shaky, unstable angles really gave insight into the mind of the girl. Her thoughts and actions are unstable and out of control so the camera enhanced that a lot.

I really appreciated the acting in the film. I particularly enjoyed Holly Hunter’s portrayal of Tracy’s mother. Her performance was raw, emotional and very engaging. She was the character whom I felt elicited the most empathy from the audience. Even though she is somewhat responsible for Tracy’s downfall, it is hard to blame her. Evan Rachel Wood’s debut performance was a very strong one as well. When playing a part like Tracy, it would have been very easy to be over the top and melodramatic, but Wood finds a way to be genuine in her emotions. The character’s actions may not always seem realistic, but the way in which they are executed is believable.

This may not have been my favorite film but I still think it is worth a watch. The characters are quite captivating despite the story and the cinematography is very well done. The graphic content may also serve as a cautionary tale for younger viewers.

Movie Review : Into the Vault

2011-04-14T19:23:00.004-04:00

Time for another trip back in time. Today, let's look at Iranian director Majid Majidi's Children of Heaven (1997). This movie really was a charming piece of cinema. The story was so simple and yet so captivating. The love the young boy and his sister have for one another and the determination each of them displays to keep their shared secret is so admirable. The fact that neither of the main actors were professionals adds to the charm of the film and gives it a more realistic tone overall. Because the story is one that so many children can easily relate to, the young actors were able to express very real emotions and both give credible performances.

The shoes are a very important symbol in this film. They represent opportunity. Neither of the children can go to school without the shoes and education is of the utmost importance to them. It is their way out of poverty. They also represent wealth at times. For instance, in the scene where Zahra stares longingly at the shiny new shoes in the store window, they represent wealth or opportunity that is unavailable to her.

One of the more powerful scenes in the film has to be when Ali and his father go to look for work in the rich part of town. There is such a striking contrast between the two of them peddling on a bike and working so hard in a place that is full of such privileged people. Seeing them bike along the highway is heartbreaking yet commendable at the same time.

It is also interesting to see the role a child has in a culture so different from North America’s. In Iran, it would seem that they are expected to grow up so much faster than a Canadian child would. At one point, Ali’s father tells him that at nine years old, he is not a child anymore. This may sound so absurd to a North American viewer, since kids here are often considered as such for almost twice as long as this. It becomes quite evident throughout the film that Ali possesses a sense of maturity far beyond his years. This can be seen when he helps his father find work in the gated community. He is the one who is calm and handles the situation when his father is confused and embarrassed. This definitely is a great story for children and adults of all ages to relate to and enjoy all while learning about another culture.

Movie Review : Into the Vault

2011-04-10T19:29:00.005-04:00

I've decided that in order to blog more, I should write about older movies that are perhaps less well known by the general public. Today, I'd like to discuss If..., the 1968 feature by english director Lindsay Anderson. The film is set in the 60s at a private school in England and stars Malcolm McDowell, David Wood and Richard Warwick. On an interesting side note, McDowell's performance in this film caught the attention of director Stanley Kubrick and got him cast in his most iconic role, Alex DeLarge in A Clockwork Orange.

The film explores explores the depths of teenage psyche and shows the viewer what might happen if we all gave in to our most intimate, primal desires. The use of animal print is very prominent in the film. The main character, Mick, has leopard print pillows and even wears teeth around his neck. This is to show that he is a very wild and primal character himself. He does not abide by the rules set out for him by the school he attends and likes to live in a way that satisfies all his urges. His obsession with images of war and nude women can also lead us to believe this.

The film seems to be laced with Freudian theories and psychology. There is also a surreal feel to the film. We are never really sure whether or not what we are seeing is actually happening or if it is just being imagined by one of the characters. An example of this would be the scene in which Mick wrestles like an animal with the girl working in the café in the town by their school. There is no real transition to indicate that what we are seeing is not actually happening, however the scene unfolding is so absurd that we don’t believe it to be real.

Another example is the final scene in which Mick and his friend climb up to the roof of their school and begin shooting the faculty, students and other guests below them. This seems far too exaggerated and absurd to be real. However, it is possible that this is intentionally done to show how absurd the whole school system is.

The soundtrack was an interesting part of the film. The tribal music often used created a fascinating contrast between it’s wild, perhaps more primitive nature and the more stuffy and proper, even militant atmosphere of the school.

This film raises many interesting questions about the school system and also on what society deems appropriate. In a way, the school can be seen as a metaphor for society. The students and teachers represent different classes and are treated accordingly. It's really an interesting and thought-provoking film that more people should make the effort to see. I promise you won't be disappointed.

The Academy Awards: Part Four

2011-02-27T23:03:00.005-05:00

DARREN! NOOOOO! It would have just been to much to handle to see Kathryn Bigelow present an award to Darren Aronofsky. I guess Tom Hooper will have to do. Don't worry D, you'll always be best director in my heart. You and your classy stash.

Wow, and Eli Wallach sharing a stage. I can't. Wow.

And best actress goes to.... NATALIE PORTMAN! Duh, did you even see Black Swan? She was so incredible. Her Speech was so heartfelt and she looks absolutely stunning. Best actor goes to Colin Firth. Lovely. He's so eloquent and witty. I have yet to see The King's Speech, but I've heard only wonderful things about it, I don't doubt Colin was amazing.

And now the final award of the night, best picture. The King's Speech. I was really pulling for Black Swan, but I can live with this.

Well, that's it for tonight. I am so emotionally drained. It was so worth it though.

The Academy Awards: Part Three

2011-02-27T22:12:00.003-05:00

Auto-tune Harry Potter. I can die a happy person. This edition of the Academy Awards is really shaping up to be one of the best ever. And how lovely to see Mr. Billy Crystal back on stage. He's always so classy and funny. I absolutely love the look back at all the shows of the past. It's great how comedians like Bob Hope can still be considered as funny today as they were back when they first started.

The divine Florence Welch and A.R Rahman just performed If I Rise, one of the songs nominated for best picture, followed by Gwyneth Paltrow. The legendary Randy Newman won best song. I can't believe he's been nominated 20 times! Craaaaaazy.

Celine Dion took the stage to perform an incredibly touching tribute to those we lost this year, most notably Dennis Hopper, Tony Curtis and Sally Menke. These things always bring a tear to my eye. My God, I am far too emotional about these things.

The Academy Awards: Part Two

2011-02-27T21:24:00.005-05:00

CHRISTIAN BALE. I don't even know what to say. I've actually never been so happy to see someone win anything before. Think I'm exaggerating? I'm not, ask my mom. I actually have tears in my eyes. Wow. Okay, deep breaths.

So before my life was completed, Anne Hathaway sang a lovely, hilarious version of On my Own, from Les Miserables and James Franco channeled his inner screen goddess. Anyone else think he may have ingested a few illegal substances to take the edge of hosting the most prestigious awards show ever off?

Cate Blanchett is just flawless. She wins for best dressed of the night.

The Academy Awards: Part One

2011-02-27T20:24:00.004-05:00

It's Oscar night again! This year's show is off to a great start with an incredibly hilarious and entertaining parody of Inception, starring James Franco and Anne Hathaway, the hosts of this year's show. The pair definitely have fantastic chemistry and should make for an interesting show.

The stage is simply beautiful. It's so classy and elegant. That's what I love about this night. It makes me feel like I'm a part of a big, beautiful, classy Hollywood family.

May I just say, Kirk Douglas is the most adorable person in Hollywood! His speech was to precious for words. I was delighted to see this living piece of history present the the award for best actress in a supporting role to Melissa Leo. Her performance in The Fighter was really wonderful and even though her speech was sort of long and all over the place, she really f**king did deserve it. (HAHA, GOOD JOB CATCHING THAT ONE, PRODUCERS).

Movie Review

2011-02-20T18:30:00.002-05:00

Last night, I finally got to watch Mark Romanek's latest film, Never Let Me Go, starring Carey Mulligan, Kiera Knightley and the delicious Andrew Garfield. The story chronicles the lives of three students at an English boarding school as they explore their feelings for each other and come to terms with the terrifying future they were designed for.

I had been looking forward to seeing this movie for quite a while now and was excited to see it after so much anticipation. I did thoroughly enjoy the film. With such a talented young cast, there was very little doubt in my mind that I would. Mulligan was completely engaging as Kathy, the protagonist and narrator of the film. It was simply heart-wrenching to see the longing and pain in her eyes as she was forced to watch the love of her life, Tommy (Garfield) carry on a relationship with her best friend Ruth (Knightley). Garfield seems to really be coming into his own as an actor. He was so charming and endearing as Tommy that it almost brang a tear to my eye. Kightley looked absolutely flawless as ever and it was nice to see her in something other than a Jane Austen remake or a 16th century costume drama.

My one issue with the film is that I felt the second half of it was a bit rushed. The set-up and exposition were perfectly drawn out. However, the film reached it's climax and then it's conclusion without much time in between. It would have been interesting to see Kathy and Tommy's relationship as adults play out a bit more than it did in the film.

Aside from this minor detail, it really was a lovely film, raising some interesting and difficult questions about love, life and loss. The characters were each engaging in their own way and the plot kept me interested from beginning to end.

If you're in the mood for a quality love story, more realistic and attainable than most Hollywood nonsense they spew out these days, definitely give Never Let Me Go a shot.

Grammy Awards: Part Five

2011-02-13T22:58:00.003-05:00

I just love JLo and Marc-Anthony's attempt at humour. And by love it, I mean I find it painfully awkward. Anyways, despite what many of us may think, this is and awards show and record of the year went to Lady Antebellum. Really? Why? Ughh.

I was sort of disappointed with the Arcade Fire at first. The song they first performed, "Month of May," was well done, except the obnoxious use of lighting took away from it all. However, after winning album of the year, they came back for round two to make up for it all. Thank God for that.

Well, That's it for tonight. See you at the Oscars kids.

Grammy Awards: Part Four

2011-02-13T21:58:00.007-05:00

Finally! Katy Perry's back to give performances that are an actual reflection of her talent. I was becoming a bit concerned. Tonight she managed to find the perfect balance between flash and vocal talent. The same should be said for Rihanna. I was never a fan of her live performances but she did a lovely job of "Love the way you Lie," with Adam Levine and Eminem. But for God's sake, why is Em always so angry? You just won a Grammy. Smile.

Okay, who on earth is this Esperanza Whatever person and HOW did she beat the divine Florence? She should also receive upset of the night.

WOAH MICK JAGGER. Good to see his still alive. He still knows how to work the crowd like a champ. He's got more presence than many performers 1/4th his age (cough cough Beiber cough).

BARBRA. Oh Barbra, you beautiful woman, show these kids how it's done. Seriously, I can't even deal with it. She's just flwaless. I wish she would have sung "Don't Rain on my Parade" or something from Yentl, but that'll do.

Everyone seems to be bringing their A game tonight.

Grammy Awards: Part Three

2011-02-13T21:21:00.006-05:00

LADY GAGA FOREVER.

This is definitely Mama Monster's night. The Lady graciously accepted her award for best pop vocal performance of the year.

Next up, a very classy performance by Mumford and Sons, the Avett Brothers and the legendary Bob Dylan. I don't even care if he sings all that well or not. His lyrics are wonderful and his persona is incredibly magnetic and compelling.

I'm not exactly what you call a country music fan and the song was played to death, but Lady Antebellum did do a good job with their hit, "Need You Now." They also just one for best country song f the year and they do seem to be less annoying than most other country stars so good for them.

And Cee-Lo. I just love his voice and his wonderfully colourful and fun performance, featuring the very talented Gwyneth Paltrow. The Grammy's are certainly chocked full of talent tonight!

Grammy Awards: Part Two

2011-02-13T20:56:00.002-05:00

Bruno Mars, B.O.B. and Janelle Monae just performed. It was quite a good performance. I must admit I was disappointed with Bruno Mars' bit. It seemed a bit rough. Janelle was lovely as ever though.

The world's most talented elf, otherwise known as JBiebs, his mentor Usher and celebuspawn, Jayden Smith took the stage to perform their hit, "Never Say Never." While I'll admit it was entertaining, I found it to be a bit more flash then substance. I'm also not digging Usher's MC Hammer vibe. Definitely not my favourite part of the night. And cue the hoards of angry fangirls.

Speaking of fangirls... OH EM GEE MUSE! Well deserved chaps.

Grammy Awards: Part One

2011-02-13T20:18:00.004-05:00

It's that time of year again, award's season! Tonight, music's biggest night, the Grammy Awards, were kicked off with a powerhouse tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. The roof was blown off the place by the combined vocal talent of Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams, Alex Delarge (oops, I mean Christina Aguilera) and my personal fave, Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine. The first award of the night, best performance by a pop duo or group, was then handed out to Train. But enough about all that nonsense. On to the important stuff: GAGA.

There are simply no words. She was truly amazing. The sublime pop diva performed her latest smash-hit and anthem, "Born This Way" and looked like a beautiful alien queen while spreading her message of love and exceptance to the world. Does this top her exquisite duet with Sir Elton John? Methinks yes.

And then there was Muse. Matt Bellamy. Sequins. Fire. That is all.

Good luck to anyone having to follow these two acts. HA.

Movie Review

2010-12-25T20:18:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas friends! To celebrate, I have a lovely movie review for you all. Please, try and contain your overwhelming joy.

A few days ago, I had what felt like the privilege of going to see The Fighter, starring the very, ahem, cut, Mark Whalberg, Amy Adams and Christian Bale, in what may just be his finest performance since American Psycho. The film is the true story of champion boxer, "Irish" Mickey Ward (Whalberg) and his very troubled older brother and trainer, Dickie Eklund (Bale). The audience is captivated by the brothers' turbulent relationship and their individual personal struggles as well. Ward cannot seem to reach his full potential as a fighter under the guidance of his family, mainly his overbearing, alcoholic mother, Alice (Melissa Leo), whereas Dickie faces a battle against a terrible substance addiction.

The acting in this movie was absolutely superb. Whalbergs is incredibly endearing as Ward, and induces a great sense of empathy in the audience as he struggles to find balance between his family, his girlfriend (played to perfection by Adams) and his own aspirations. Ward and Eklund's seven sisters were hilarious. Their huge hair and tough, snarky attitudes added just the right amount of comic relief to the film without being too ridiculous or unrealistic. Melissa Leo is also great as the matriarch of the Ward/Eklund clan. She's terribly annoying and one can't help but feel the need to reach through the screen and shake some sense into her on multiple occasions, yet she still manages to become relatable and endearing to the audience as well.

While the entire cast did an excellent job, the standout performance of the film is without a doubt Bale's portrayal of crack-addicted boxing trainer, Dickie Eklund. He was absolutely perfect in his role. I found myself on the verge of tears multiple times while watching Dickie sink deeper and deeper into the dark abyss of addiction. It's truly heartbreaking to see the look on his face as he realizes the affect his addiction has on his young son. Although he may come across as obnoxious and at times, one is still always rooting for him to succeed and pull through. During the end credits, a clip of the real Mickey and Dickie is played. I was simply stunned with how accurate Bale's interpretation of Eklund was. In fact, it was almost frightening. If he doesn't win the Oscar, I'll never forgive the Academy.

This film was truly spectacular. It was inspirational, emotional and touching without being melodramatic or cheesy. It's a story about real people overcoming real problems to do great things. Also, the plot is fairly simple, so it's not too intellectually challenging. It was by far, one of the best movies I've seen all year. You must see it.

Movie Review

2010-11-15T08:19:00.003-05:00

Before I begin, I'd just like to apologize for the huge gap between this post and my last one. I realize I've been a terrible blogger and as soon as things calm down after semester ends in a few weeks, I'll be posting much more. Now for some movie talk.

Most recently, I had the great fortune of stumbling upon Taika Waititi's Eagle vs. Shark, a charming little film from New Zealand. It stars Loren Horsley (who also co-wrote the film) as Lily, a shy, but kindhearted girl who falls in love with Jarrod, (played by Jemaine Clement of the Flight of the Conchords fame) one of the regulars at the burger joint she works at, after they meet at his "animal party". The story follows the pair's budding romance all the way to Jarrod's hometown, where their relationship is tested by his struggle to find acceptance from his family and his obsession with seeking revenge on one of his grade school bullies.

This was one of the sweetest movies I've seen in a long time. The honesty and awkwardness of Lily and Jarrod's relationship make it one that is very relatable to most people. Seeing their total acceptance of each other's quirks and flaws is enough to warm anyone's heart.

The actors' performances were also quite good. Jemaine was absolutely hilarious and endearing as Jarrod, an eagle loving candle-maker with a penchant for telling tall tales. Horsley, who was quite unknown to me before this film, is just brilliant as Lily. She's the perfect embodiment of the uneasiness and gawkiness most young women and girls feel while falling in love. The viewer can't help but be moved as she transforms from this into a more confident and independent woman throughout the film. Adding yet another layer of hilarity to it all was Joel Tobeck and his hysterical impersonations of Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Bond, as Lily's older brother, Damon.

I'd definitely recommend this movie to anyone. It's incredibly clever and funny. It fills you with the incredible sense of optimism that love is real and anyone can find it if they close their eyes and open their hearts. Open your heart to Eagle vs. Shark and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Movie Review

2010-09-26T14:30:00.003-04:00

This weekend, I decided to shell out some hard-earned cash to watch Ben Affleck's latest movie, The Town. Affleck not only stars in the film, but co-wrote and directed it as well. I was ever so slightly skeptical before seeing it as it's been a while since Ben has had a hit, however, I very much enjoyed the film.

The story centres on Doug MacRay (Affleck), leader of a group of seasoned bank robbers in Charlestown, an infamous Boston neighbourhood, as he struggles to find a way to leave his past behind him and make a new life for himself. This journey proves to be more difficult and dangerous than he could have imagined as he finds himself torn between his loyalty to his friends and accomplices (Jeremy Renner, Slaine and Owen Burke) and his love for the beautiful bank manager (Rebecca Hall) linked to one of their most recent heists. Aside from having to choose which path to follow, MacRay must also find a way to safely elude the team of FBI agents (lead by Jon Hamm) who've been working relentlessly to track down and imprison the thieves.

Looking back on my feelings towards this film before having seen it, I feel rather foolish. With a cast this sensational, there was basically no way this could be a flop. Every performance was executed with such intense honesty and emotion, particularly Renner and Affleck. With all the complexity in which these anti-heroes were crafted, it was almost impossible to root for the FBI to triumph over them. Even though they were ruthless, hot-tempered bank robbers, there was something innately good in them which made it easier to connect and empathize with them than with Hamm's Agent Frawley.

One performance which actually shocked me came courtesy of Blake Lively, whom many of you may know from the TV series Gossip Girl or The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. Based on the roles she's played in the past, I was expecting it would be difficult to take her seriously as Krista, a young drug-addicted mother and former flame of Doug's. However, I was blown away by her truly convincing and heart-wrenching portrayal of the troubled girl.

Overall, The Town offers the audience non-stop action, an intriguing story line, a heartbreaking romance and multiple stellar performances. This is definitely one to watch.

Movie Review

2010-08-18T23:44:00.004-04:00

I must say, it has been quite a successful summer for new movies this year! Most recently, I treated myself to the latest Michael Cera flick, "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." I was surprisingly blown away. It was one of the best, most unique times I've had at the cinema in a long time.

The film centres around Scott, an unassuming video game hero played by the adorable Mr. Cera, who's world is suddenly turned upside down when he falls in love with the beautiful and mysterious Ramona Flowers. In order to be with Ramona, he must first fight and defeat her seven evil exes, some of whom were played by Chris Evans, Brandon Routh and my personal favourite, Jason Schwartzman.

Although it was quite hilarious the whole way through, it took a while to get use to the fast pace and order in which certain events were presented. After a while, everything began making more sense and it all became incredibly enjoyable. The dialogue was very witty and filled with Cera's classic sarcastic yet terribly sweet humour. One can't help but falling slightly in love with him. The action sequences were also thoroughly entertaining. Each battle with Ramona's exes was very different from the next and it was never repetitive or boring. In fact, the whole concept of the film was quite original. The idea of presenting it as a video game instead of a film was very clever. It allowed the audience to feel like they were apart of the action, which really made the whole experience more enjoyable. Not to mention the killer soundtrack mostly penned by Beck.

I wouldn't say it was the deepest, most complex movie of all time and I'm not expecting to hear much, if anything at all, about it when awards season rolls around, but it certainly was a lot of fun to watch. If you're looking for something original and fun, give Scott a shot!

Movie Review

2010-07-18T12:33:00.002-04:00

It is incredibly rare that I leave a theatre with the feeling that my $11,00 did not go to waste. It seems decent movies are becoming an endangered species. However, every now and again, there comes a film which fulfils all the criteria necessary for me to say, "well that was a good movie." The latest little gem to cause me to utter that phrase was Christopher Nolan's, "Inception."

The film centres on a group of people who enter into the minds of various marks to steal thoughts from their subconscious. Upon learning of this illegal operation, a business man enlists the skills of extractor, Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) and his team to infiltrate an American tycoon's son to plant an idea in his head rather than extracting one. It is a complicated and dangerous task but Cobb excepts on the condition that after the mission is complete, he may return to his two children in the States.

It was truly one of the best new-releases I've see in a very long time. When looking back, trying to find some fault with it, I simply cannot. On a superficial level, the story could seem like somewhat of a joke and if handled in the wrong way, it would have easily become a cheesy, over the top, accidental comedy. However, the plot line was griping and unexpected and made the two and a half hour running time seem more like ninety minutes. Nolan was able to instil just the right amount of darkness and complexity to each character, thus making them relatable instead of superhuman. The cast was flawless. From Leonardo DiCaprio, to Marion Cotillard, to Ellen Page, everyone did a fantastic job at portraying their own role while always adding to the depth and intricacy of the plot line.

I was also incredibly impressed by the quality of the visual effects of the film. They can usually be a deal-breaker for me, in such cases as Guy Ritchie's , "Sherlock Holmes," however, everything was impeccably executed and the limitless possibilities of the dream world were brought to life in the most believable way.

The movie really had something for every one: action, drama, romance, smart dialogue and solid acting. I expect a nod to Mr. Nolan from the Academy this year for this one. I'm not quite sure what else to say but, GO SEE INCEPTION NOW!

Love and Peace OR ELSE

2010-05-31T18:32:00.003-04:00

If there is one thing I can't stand in this world, it is igrnorant people. Even worse are those who choose to remain ignorant. With all the technology available to us today, there is simply no excuse. If we don't understand something, information about it is only a few clicks away. If so much knowledge is readily available to us, why is it that things like rascism, sexism and homophobia exist? Surely we've learned from the mistakes of previous generations. Are we not supposed to be at the forefront of forward thinking? It boggles my mind to see that these problems are still very real issues today. Things like race, gender, religion or sexual orientation determine the value of a person. People need to stop using words like ''gay'' or ''Jew'' as insults. You cannot fathom how ignorant you sound when you say things like that. It makes me so angry. But what makes me angrier are the people that don't get upset and just let insults like that by. It may seem like an innocent joke, but it's much more than that, it's a reminder of the hatred in the world and we need to come together to stop it. It's almost always wrong to hate, but it's never wrong to love.

Gatsby

2010-05-14T15:45:00.002-04:00

Under the stars

In the summer heat

Fast, shiny cars

And a jazzy beat

Light, swinging frocks

Champagne kisses

Curled, lacquered locks

And unspoken wishes

A lonely existence,

Fake, empty friends

Nobody cares

When the party ends

Dirty Pop.

2010-05-10T20:38:00.004-04:00

I'd like to give a shout out to one of my most favorite fashion bloggers and friends, Camille! Check out her fabulous blog, oozing with glamour, class, poetry and inspiration!!

http://missceeceedevil.tumblr.com/

Enjoy friends!!

Movie Review

2010-04-23T19:04:00.004-04:00

Last week, I had the opportunity to go see the new documentary, ''When You're Strange: A Film About the Doors''. Narrated by the enamoring, Johhny Depp, the film is a sweeping look at the delirious, erratic, genious mind of one, Mr. Jim Morrison, along with the other members of the Doors as well.

With a frontman as outlandish and unpredictable as Morrison was, it is difficult not to keep the focus on him. He was and still is the reason people love, hate and above all, remember the Doors. However, I felt the director, Tom DiCillo, did a decent job at presenting the other members of the band as more than a backdrop to Jim's wild onstage antics. Through electrifying live footage and poetic narration, the audiance gains more of an appreciation for the talent and uniqueness of each of the members and how they were effected by Jim's downward spiral into alcoholism and drug abuse.

The movie was thoroughly entertaining and interesting, a definite must-see for all Doors fans, especially ones, like myself, who were not alive during the height of their fame. It is about as close as us youngins will ever get to experience the magic of watching Jim and his mates perform. I only wish the film would have explored a bit more of Morrison's early life, as it is one aspect of him no one really knew very well. Other than that, Mr. DiCillo did a fine job at capturing the essence of James Douglas Morrison and the Doors.

Movie Review

2010-04-09T22:52:00.004-04:00

Before I begin, let me first apologize for my lack of posts throughout the last month. I seemed to suffer from a severe lack of inspiration or motivation for a while. All that aside, I will try and make an effort to post more often. This week, I rented the Oscar-nominated, "An Education", starring Peter Sarsgaard and new-comer Carey Mulligan.

Jenny, a young schoolgirl with a bright future at Oxford University ahead of her, is suddenly swept off her feet by a charming, older gentleman named David. Her seemingly mundane, safe life is turned upside down and filled with glamorous outings to fancy jazz clubs and even Paris. Everything seems thrilling and wonderful until Jenny realizes she must choose between her new life with David and her plans to attend Oxford.

Overall the film was quite good. Ms. Mulligan's breakout performance was really very promising. Her transition from silly schoolgirl who thinks she has it all figured out, to mature young woman who accepts that she doesn't was seamless and flowed perfectly with the story line. She allows us to get inside her head and understand what she's feeling very well. I believe it's safe to say that she has quite a promising career ahead of her and I'm eager to see what she does next. Sarsgaard's turn as David was the perfect blend of alluring, charismatic and creepy. His friendly, charming disposition invites you in, however you soon realize there is something a bit off about him.

The story line was entertaining and thought-provoking. It causes you to question and reevaluate book-smarts as opposed to street-smarts. Do we learn more in a class room or out in the real world? Why is one of more value to society than the other? However, I was left wanting a bit more. There were certain details concerning the character David and his equally charming and assumed friends, played by Rosamund Pike and Dominic Cooper, which were overlooked, that I felt should have been included. Also the ending was much to abrupt.

Aside from these minor details, "An Education" was an intellectually stimulating movie without being too heavy.

The Academy Awards : Part Three

2010-03-07T23:18:00.005-05:00

Well, another year, another ceremony. The Oscars are over and the countdown to next year's show begins. I'm faced with mixed feelings towards the winners for the night's most anticipated awards of the night. Jeff Bridges for best Actor, Sandra Bullock for best Actress and The Hurt Locker for best picture. I suppose in some way each of the nominees for all three awards were all quite deserving. I particularly enjoy Colin Firth though. He's quite talented and seems like a very classy fellow. Jeff Bridges is alright, except for the fact that the only movie that comes to mind when I think of him is White Squall, and the fact that his speech was extremely long and almost incoherent. I'm very happy for Sandra. She is so funny and talented and really deserved it. Her speech was also very touching and humorous. Carey Mulligan is also a new favorite of mine. She is a talent far beyond her years and no doubt has a very promising career ahead of her. As for best picture, I was really pulling for Inglorious Basterds, but I'm just glad it wasn't Avatar. Lastly, a big congratulations to Katherine Bigelow, the first woman to ever win best director (Although Tarantino should have won)!

That's it for tonight! Good night dahlings!

The Academy Awards : Part Two

2010-03-07T22:01:00.006-05:00

Mo'Nique won best supporting actress. I can't say I'm a fan of her, however, she does seem to do a very good job in Precious. Her acceptance speech was a bit much though. I have a question, why oh why are esteemed actors such as Meryl Streep and Christopher Plummer forced to share the red carpet with no-talent Disney brats like Miley Cyrus? And could Kristen Stewart look anymore apathetic? She is so irritating and infuriating! Thanks for making people care about her Twilight. Aside from that, that was a fine tribute to Horror films, now I won't be able to sleep for a month but that's cool.

P.S. Just spotted Eli Roth!! (High-pitched squeal!) I heart the Bear Jew.

The Academy Awards : Part One

2010-03-07T21:35:00.003-05:00

It's Oscar Night! A night I look forward to almost as much as Christmas! Things are off to a good start. Neil Patrick Harris' opening number was pretty good, his voice was a bit shaky at some parts and nothing really exceptional but still good. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are doing a solid job as hosts so far. Their chemistry and witty banter is quite entertaining. I'm extremely happy Christoph Waltz won for best supporting actor. His performance in Inglorious Basterds was both hilarious and chilling and he completely deserved it. The tribute to John Hughes was terribly touching and left me with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, even though I wasn't even a thought in my parents' heads when many of his greatest films were made. I think that really speaks to how amazing and timeless they were though.

I would just like to take this moment to say Ben Stiller is my hero and I love him.

A Poem

2010-02-25T17:03:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I posted a poem. This one is called, "Apathy". Enjoy.

The world is burning

Life is unfair

But it still keeps turning

No one cares

Apathy is the enemy

Lost souls trapped in obscurity

Those in the sun keep having their fun

And brush past them without a care

Pushed to the side of society's mind

Cold masks cover stolen beauty and light

Hidden by fear in eternal night

Invisible to the blind

The world is burning

Life is unfair

But it still keeps turning

Doesn't anyone care?

Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?

2010-02-03T19:28:00.006-05:00

My prayers have been answered! One of my favorite movies, American Psycho, is being turned into a Broadway musical! The man behind the music of the hit musical, ''Spring Awakening'', Duncan Sheik, is said to be writing the music and lyrics for the show. I am beyond excited. The thought of Patrick Bateman belting out a tune and doing a jazz square while hit Paul Allen in the face with an axe is quite hilarious and genious at the same time. My only concern is that they won't be able to find an actor as gorgeous as Mr. Christian Bale to star as the disturbed Wall Street banker, Patrick Bateman. Other than that, I can't wait for this to happen!

The Grammys : Part Three

2010-01-31T21:26:00.005-05:00

Why is Justin Bieber at the Grammys? Who does this little wankster think he is? Honestly, he's not even nominated. He looked like a little elf next to Ke$ha, who looked drunk. Why does Green Day keep winning? U2 was robbed. I'm not completely sure where this Zack Brown fellow, came from and I'm a touch disappointed that he and his band beat out MGMT for best new artist, but he does have a nice voice. It has a very raw, Rock n' Roll quality to it. He's quite a good guitarist in a sort of southern, booze-swilling, mailbox smashing kind of way. Ah Taylor Swift, a lovely generic, safe performance! Yay for you!

The Grammys : Part Two

2010-01-31T20:56:00.005-05:00

The Black Eyed Peas gave a really high-energy, electric performance. It was entertaining but not terribly original. Then again, the originality bar has been raised pretty high by GaGa. Why are Kevin and Joe Jonas both trying to look like Nick? It took me a while determine who was who. They introduced Lady Antebellum. I'm generally indifferent to country music, or worse, but they aren't half bad. I'm slightly disappointed that my dearest little Miley isn't performing. I haven't had a good Cyrus bashing session in a while...I suppose seeing her chipmunk cheeks introduce the Black Eyed Peas will have to suffice for now. Kings Of Leon just won Record of the year for "Use Somebody".

"I'm not gonna lie, we're all a little drunk." Oh Caleb, that's rich.

The Grammys : Part One

2010-01-31T20:39:00.005-05:00

OH MY GAGA! That opening was jaw-dropping! So theatrical and breath-taking! Her outfit was fabulous and Elton John??? AMAZING!! Both the Lady and Sir Elton were really firing on all cylinders tonight. I'd really hate to be every other act who follows that, except for Beyonce. She's the only other performer fierce enough to hold her own against those two. She just gave an absolutely phenomenal rendition of her smash, "If I Were a Boy". Green Day's collaboration with the cast of the upcoming musical based on their album "American Idiot" was also quite good.

In the surprise of the year, Taylor Swift won Country song of the year. Yay for her. Pink is performing now. Her performance is surprisingly vulnerable and simple, but powerful. She does have a very good voice.

That's it for now, stay tuned for more updates later!

Movie Review

2010-01-22T20:42:00.004-05:00

As I sit behind the counter of the ticket booth, staring at the empty bus terminal, I am suddenly compelled to share my thoughts on the late, great Heath Ledger's last movie, ''The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus''. The story surrounds Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) and his travelling show in modern day London. Centuries ago, the doctor had made a bet with the devil, or as he's known in the film, Mr. Nick(a devious Tom Waits), which lead to another and then another, until Parnassus ends up offering him any child of his once they reach the age of sixteen in exchange for youth. With his daughter, Valentina, played by the lovely Lily Cole, nearing her sixteenth birthday,Parnassus is desperate to make another deal with Mr. Nick in order to save her.

This movie really was quite spectacular. It was visually stunning and the acting was all very good. I was worried that because Mr. Ledger died before finishing the film, the plot would be choppy and not make very much sense. However, director Terry Gilliam did a splendid job at incorporating Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell seamlissly into the movie without degrading Heath's performance.

Some people may consider this film to be a bit strange, but it is important to keep an open mind and embrace the uniqueness of it all. If you are able to do this, you are sure to enjoy this little gem of a movie.

Movie Review

2009-12-27T18:54:00.005-05:00

On Boxing Day, my family and I skip hectic malls in favor of seeing a new movie instead. This year we had the pleasure of seeing Rob Marshall's latest musical masterpiece, NINE. The film follows Guido Contini, a famed Italian director in a creative rut, as he tries to find balance between the many women in his life while trying to pen another hit script. It was extremely entertaining, filled with exquisite costumes and dazzling musical numbers and was set in one of my favorite cities, Rome.

The casting of this movie was quite impeccable. The most enjoyable performances were given by Daniel Day-Lewis as Guido Contini and Marion Cotillard as is wife, former actress, Luisa Contini. Luisa is the woman Guido loves the most, but he is often distracted by other women, like his sultry mistress Carla (Penelope Cruz) or his muse, actress Claudia (Nicole Kidman). Marion does a marvelous job of portraying a wide range of emotions, from longing to sadness and remorse to anger, all while maintaining incredible poise and elegance. She also displays great musical talent in the numbers, "My Husband Makes Movies" and "Take it All". Daniel"s portrayal of Guido is also spot on. He is witty, charming and just plain cool. You can't help falling in love with him even though almost every word he utters is a total lie.

The award for most surprising performance would have to go to Ms. Kate Hudson, who plays American journalist Stephanie. Her number, "Cinema Italiano" was one of the best in the movie. It was very sixties Mod, upbeat and catchy. Another great number was Fergie's "Be Italian". It gave me chills.

NINE is definitely a must-see for all musical lovers but it can be a touch risque, so do heed the PG-13 rating!

Book Review

2009-12-07T20:34:00.002-05:00

I recently read the novel, "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseni. It was an absolutely fantastic, compelling tale of friendship, love, war and is an amazing testament to the human spirit. The story follows the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila, who both endure painful loss and countless hardships while living in war-torn Afghanistan.

Along with recounting the two women's stories, Hosseni offers accurate glimpses into what life was like for civilians living in this hostile, oppressive country. It creates more compassion and understanding for people living there than simply hearing stories on the news or reading articles in the paper. What many may be surprised to discover is that Afghanistan was once a beautiful, prosperous land before the invasion of the soviets in the 1970's and the rise of the Taliban soon after.

The book also gives a face to some of the most repressed, mistreated people in the country at the time, women. The characters of Laila and Mariam are beautifully depicted and extremely relatable. They worry about the same things most women do: love, pleasing your parents, having children, and finding acceptance. On top of all these normal worries, the two women must deal with the death of loved ones, an abusive husband and watching their beloved country fall apart. Throughout the book, I found myself constantly astounded at how much pain, physical and emotional, both women were able to endure and just how strong they were. If you can get through this book without shedding a single tear, you should consult your family doctor. This book is definitely a must-read, especially for those of you sick of shimmering vampires and werewolves.

Hi, my name is Megan and I'm a Gleek

2009-11-17T20:35:00.001-05:00

Movie Review

2009-11-08T19:09:00.003-05:00

Upon reading an excerpt of Brahm Stroker’s “Dracula”, and discovering a film adaptation had been created by Francis Ford Coppola, director of such classics as “The Godfather”, or, “The Outsiders”, I found myself on a relentless quest to find the movie. After weeks of scouring local video stores, I finally came across a copy. I was sure it would be fantastic seeing as the gothic-horror classic was being brought to life by a stellar cast of actors with Mr. Coppola at the helm. Unfortunately, it was wrong of me to make such assumptions so quickly and I soon learned that you can’t always judge a film by its director.

The story begins with Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves), a young law clerk in the 1800s who travels to Transylvania with the business of selling London properties to a strange old count named Dracula (Gary Oldman). Soon after arriving at the ancient, menacing castle, Jonathan discovers his business with Dracula is not one of pure coincidence and finds himself trapped in his unholy lair with the count’s three undead mistresses to seduce him and keep him from escaping while slowly draining his blood. With Jonathan out of the way, Dracula sets out for London to pursue the law clerk’s beautiful and virtuous fiancée, Mina Murray (Winona Ryder).

Most of the actors in the film managed to do a decent job. The doe-eyed Winona Ryder plays Mina with just the right amounts of innocence, confusion, passion and intelligence. She appears to be the most human and identifiable character in the film. Gary Oldman’s turn as Count Dracula, both young and old, can be a touch over the top at times, but overall, he pulls off a good performance and even manages to extract a certain degree of pity and understanding from the audience. My favorite performance in the film would have to be that of Oscar-winner, Sir Anthony Hopkins, as the outlandish, unconventional Dr. Van Helsing. He seems to have the most fun with his role, therefore making himself appear very at ease and in-character. The doctor’s bizarre antics also add just the right touch of comic relief to the otherwise disturbing and unsettling movie. Alas, not all actors were able to give such enjoyable performances. It was literally painful to watch Keanu Reeves to attempt to convey any sort of identifiable emotion throughout the movie. Fear, disgust, concern and sadness all end up being easily mistaken for boredom. Throw a terrible fake British accent into the mix and his acting becomes as cringe- worthy as watching the old count feed a newborn baby to his famished, demonic temptresses.

Sadly, Mr. Reeves’ horrendous acting ability is not the only thing which brings this movie down. The sets and costumes are very haunting and exquisite and although most of the actors do a very nice job, they are all overshadowed by ostentatious displays of sexuality and violence such as the scene where Dracula takes on the form of a werewolf and proceeds to rape Mina’s best friend, Lucy. This detracts from the eerie and sinister yet tragically beautiful story line, rather than enhance it.

This movie is most definitely not for everyone. The graphic, at times disturbing content and R rating requires a mature audience consisting of people whom are not easily offended. If you are able to stomach the whole movie and look past the pretentious, exaggerated special effects and overt sexuality, you may be able to find some value or enjoyment in the film. If you are of the faint of heart or just plain sensible, you will probably want to skip this one.

It's only Halloween, Do the Trick-or-Treat!

2009-10-31T23:54:00.007-04:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year... Happy Halloween! Hope everyone was safe and had fun, I personally had a wonderful time reliving my childhood vicariously through my little cousins. Oh and in case you're wondering, I'm dressed as Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange. Next year I promise to go as something more people will recognize. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_(A_Clockwork_Orange)

Movie Review

2009-10-24T11:02:00.004-04:00

Last night, I rented Easy Virtue starring Ben Barnes, Jessica Biel and Colin Firth. I had high hopes for this one, unfortunately, it was merely mediocre at best. The film tells the story of a young, wealthy englishman, played by the very charming and sweet, Ben Barnes, who brings his new American wife home to meet his family. Jessica Biel plays the role of Larita, the American race car driver who receives a less than warm welcome from her new family. The plot line of the film wasn't entirely boring, however, Beil's robotic replies and sad attempts at sarcasm really bring the whole production down. In fact, the only thing I enjoyed about her in the movie were her clothes. If yoou can manage to look past Jessica's dreadful acting skills, you may potentially enjoy this film, otherwise, leave Easy Virtue on the shelf

GLEE

2009-10-11T20:38:00.004-04:00

Please excuse my sporadic posting. I've been rather busy with school and trying to find a job... oh, and watching GLEE! It's arguably one of the best new shows on television, and I would know, I watch a lot more television than any individual should. It is just an incredible, amazing show! Each character is absolutely hilarious and each rendition of such classics as, "Don't Stop Believing," and "Somebody to Love" induce serious goosebumps! With so much to worry about these days, Glee is the perfect weekly dose of sunshine, inspiration and jazz hands in these turbulent, confusing times. Enjoy Glee on Wednesday nights at 9 on Fox and Global.

A Poem

2009-09-14T17:44:00.004-04:00

Something I wrote in English class last week...

Dancing through the days of our youth,

Trying desperately to hold on,

Splashing in all the puddles we can,

Before they dry up and are gone.

Lines and creases cover our faces,

But our eyes are still lit up with child like flames,

We'll never listen when they say that we can't

And we'll continue to play our favorite games.

And as our peers sit back in their chairs,

The world outside just passes them by

We'll keep on living, laughing and giving,

Until the time comes for us to say, "Goodbye."

The VMAs: Part Four

2009-09-13T23:22:00.003-04:00

Beyonce is just amazing! After winning her well deserved award for Video of the Year, she called upon Taylor Swift, whose victory was cut short by a certain arrogant jerk earlier in the evening, to come back on stage and really accept her award. Ms. Knowles is truly a class act. She just made Talyor's night and made Kanye West look like an even bigger (insert your choice of profanity here). Way to go!

The VMAs: Part Three

2009-09-13T22:15:00.007-04:00

OH MY GOD NEW MOON!!!!! It looks infinitely more amazing than Twilight! I'm sorry I just needed to let my inner fangirl out for a moment. Beyonce's performance was as amazing as expected. Single Ladies never gets old! This version is even more fierce than usual, if such a thing were possible...

Now let me just say how much I love Muse! There sound is so theatrical and reminiscent of Queen and Radiohead and Matt Bellamy's voice is so lovely. If they ever play any venues in town, you better believe I'll be there.

The VMAs: Part Two

2009-09-13T21:49:00.002-04:00

Good God! Lady GaGa just rocked the roof off Radio City Music hall with her fabulous and fierce rendition of Paparazzi! It was glamourous, over the top and just a little bit frightening. She is really an incredible live performer. She always looks and sounds great and you can tell she really leaves everything she has on the stage. Brava!

The VMAs: Part One

2009-09-13T21:30:00.005-04:00

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH KANYE WEST?!?! WAY TO RUIN TAYLOR SWIFT'S MOMENT AND MAKE BEYONCE FEEL FRICKIN AWKWARD YOU INSENSITIVE JERK! Just when you think he can't be any more of an a-hole, he brings it to a whole new level. I'm so shocked by that. I feel terrible for poor Taylor! She deserved that award just as much as any of the other ladies nominated for that award and Kanye had no right AT ALL to ruin her moment.

All that aside, the show started off with an incredible tribute to Michael Jackson by his sister Janet and a very talented group of dancers. Russel Brand's enterance to Queen's classic, "We Will Rock you featuring Katy and Joe Perry was very good as well. Taylor Swift just performed and she was amazing so HAHAHA Kanye West.

More updates coming soon!

You come along because I love your face

2009-08-26T12:36:00.003-04:00

Hurrah! The two remaining members of Panic at the Disco have just released the video

accompanying their latest single New Perspective. It's a simple video but still funny and interesting. And may I just say Mr. Urie looks gorgeous!

Check out the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGawr6NaI48

Movie Review

2009-08-18T13:40:00.004-04:00

I recently had the pleasure of seeing Hayao Miyazaki's latest creation, Ponyo, starring the voices of Tina Fey, Liam Neeson and Mat Damon. It is a lovely tale about friendship and true love with the underlying theme of the environment and pollution. The movie was magical and funny. It was geared more towards children than some of Miyazaki's other movies but still entertaining for teenagers and adults. If you're looking for something sweet and entertaining but a little bit different, check out Ponyo!

A Poem

2009-08-04T12:00:00.013-04:00

I've recently been inspired by David Bowie and the movie Velvet Goldmine. I'm totally enamoured with the theatrical, decadent, over-the-top Glam Rock era. So enamoured in fact, that I have written a poem based on the musical genre and the icons it produced.

Ode to Glam Rock

Wipe away the glitter,

Wipe away the grime,

No man can live forever,

All are legends forgotten in time.

Beyond the stage, beyond the lights,

The snow white powder and sleepless nights,

Dreams built out of glitter and stars,

Dressed up in leather, fur and guitars.

Troubadours sent down to earth from the moon,

Crashed down from the sky in a blaze,

Emerging elegantly from the smoke and the haze,

It will all be over too soon.

I wanna be praised from a new perspective

2009-08-02T15:18:00.006-04:00

Hurrah! There is still hope for Panic! at the Disco! Spencer and Brendon are thankfully carrying on with their touring and song writing as P!ATD and have just released a new single which will also be featured in the new Diablo Cody movie, Jennifer's Body. The song is called New Perspective. It's a very lovely song. The music and lyrics are upbeat and fun to sing along with. I have a new sense of optimism with regards to the bands future and can't wait to hear more new songs from them!

Listen to the song here: www.myspace.com/panicatthedisco

2009-07-22T11:41:00.009-04:00

Last night, I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the Beyonce concert. It was honestly one of the best concerts I've ever been to. I've never really considered myself a fan of hers until last night. She is so much better live than on tv or the radio. This woman invented the word Fierce.

During Beyonce's stellar rendition of Ave Maria and Angel, I had chills all over and the hair on my arms was literally standing on end! Here is a small clip of Angel below.

She really is a powerhouse performer! Every song she sang was filled with such passion and confidence and she really appreciate all the energy and love the crowd gave back to her. Truly Amazing.

Here's a clip of her smash hit Single Ladies!

Movie Review

2009-07-14T21:47:00.003-04:00

Vassup? So, I recently saw Sacha Baron Cohen's latest creation, Bruno.

Oh mon Dieu!

It was incredibly entertaining and hilarious but also terribly scandalous and over the top. While watching it, I felt like I was doing something wrong and was about to get caught! When I did get over my slight discomfort, however, I realized how intelligent Sacha is. Even though his character appears to be a total ignoramus, he still manages to make fun of models and expose redneck martial arts instructors' prejudices without them knowing. I also must applaud his bold fearlessness. I can't think of many people who would sit down and insult a terrorist for the sake of comedy. There were even a few surprise cameos at the end which I quite enjoyed. A very good movie, just don't go see it with children or your parents for minimal awkwardness.

WHY?????

2009-07-06T14:05:00.005-04:00

I feel as though I have been hit in the stomach by a professional boxer. Ryan Ross and Jon Walker, the guitarist and bassist for Panic at the Disco, have decided to leave the band. I am deeply saddened by this as PATD is one of my all time favourite bands. It seems like only yesterday I first saw and fell in love with the video for I Write Sins Not Tradgedies. I suppose Robert Frost was right, "nothing gold can stay."

Studio Ghibli = ♥

2009-07-06T06:51:00.016-04:00

Throughout the past year I've become increasingly fascinated with the films of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. Miyazaki is truly a genius. His stories are magical, endearing and captivating from beginning to end and the detail in his drawings is absolutely astounding. Many people immediately assume that these movies are similar to shows like Pokemon because they are both forms of anime. However, they couldn't be more different. Pokemon is a children's show. Hayao Miyazaki's movies are works of art. The stories are as entertaining for adults as they are for children. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the older you are, the more you can enjoy and appreciate these exquisite films. My personal favourites would have to be Howl's Moving Castle and the Academy Award-Winning Spirited Away. Both are very touching stories about finding your inner strength and believing in yourself. I'm also looking forward to Studio Ghibli's lastest movie, Ponyo, out in theaters in mid august.

Movie Review

2009-06-27T09:23:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, I received passes to the advanced screening of Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard. I had been anticipating this movie since I found out it was being made several months ago. To have Batman and Edward Scissorhands in the same movie has always been a dream of mine... Anyways, the movie is the true story of notorious bank robber, John Dillinger, played perfectly by Depp, and the team of feds lead by top agent, Melvin Purvis, played by the gorgeous Christian Bale. The film did not disappoint. It was full of action, suspense and even romance. Depp's portrayal of Dillinger was quite compelling. He gave the character many layers as opposed to playing him as a one dimensional villain only out to pillage and plunder. Overall, a very good movie. You can see it when it opens everywhere on July 1st.

Happy Fathers Day!

2009-06-21T10:36:00.002-04:00

I would just like to wish all the dads I know, particularly my own, a happy Fathers Day! Wish you were here dad, we miss you!!

Hella Good Show

2009-06-18T11:52:00.016-04:00

Last night, I got to go to the No Doubt concert and it was fantastic! The show opened with Paramore, another great band, and I even got to meet Haley Williams, their lead singer, afterwards!

I was a bit star struck (hence the stupid grin on my face!)

Here is Paramore singing their hit Decode off the Twilight Soundtrack:

No Doubt's performance was two hours of pure, non-stop energy. Gwen Stefani ditched John Galliano and Vivian Westwood in favor of a cut-off white tank top and white pants, very classic No Doubt attire. After a quick costume change, she came out wearing a fabulous chekered jumper. The band was so energetic and really appreciated the crowd's excitment. The whole show was very Andy Warhol meets a Clockwork Orange with a twist of Bob Marley. An odd combination, but it worked out very well.

The Jumper!

My favourite songs of the night were Hella Good, Hey Baby, I'm just a Girl, It's My Life and Don't Speak.

Here is the beginning of I'm Just a Girl (Gwen is even doing push-ups like she used to back in the day!) :

An amazing night, an amazing show! A perfect way to officially kick off summer vacation!

A Poem

2009-06-13T14:15:00.002-04:00

Here's another poem I wrote for fun a while ago. Nothing to deep or complicated.

What do you see?

You've stardust in your eyes,
Are you still asleep?
When you close your eyes,
What do you see?

Softly floating in your sea of dreams,
So calm and peaceful, so serene,
Do you feel the sun kissing your skin,
Or the Rushing freedom of the wind?

Can you feel me lying here?
If only I could know your mind,
I whisper softly in your ear,
You truly are one of a kind.

You've stardust in your eyes,
Are you still asleep?
When you close your eyes,
What do you see?

The pale, shining face of the man in the moon,
Lulls the world to sleep with a calming tune
But keeps us safe from darkness and fright
By leaving on his guiding light.

In the morning, when the sun has chased him away,
You'll awake from your dreams to face the day.
Don't wipe the stardust from your eyes
For it fills you with freedom, wonder and surprise.

A Dustland Fairytale begining

2009-06-09T10:39:00.005-04:00

The Killers have just released their new music video for A Dustland Fairytale. In my humble opinion, it is the best song off their latest album, Day & Age. I'm very pleased with the video, it's sort of the Outsiders meets Rebel Without a Cause. Almost exactly what I imagined when I first heard the song. The younger male lead is also very good looking in a young Marlon Brando kind of way.

Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDBBdVC3Tn4

Jazz Hands!

2009-06-07T21:39:00.004-04:00

As I sit here in my living room, watching the Tony Awards, I have the overwhelming urge to hope on a train to New York and spend every last penny I have on play tickets. Every performance so far has sent chills down my spine and left me wondering how anyone can honestly say they don't like musicals. From the classic West Side Story to the new Rock of Ages, their is something for everyone. I've concluded that if there is not at least one single musical number in one play a person can say is at least decent, then they have no soul.

Movie Review

2009-06-05T22:22:00.006-04:00

Tonight, I rented Big Fish, starring Ewan McGregor, Jessica Lange and Billy Crudup. I must say, it was one of the most original, captivating movies I've seen in a while. To quote Ryan Ross, "It's like a fairy tale for grown-ups." The plot line seems quite simple at first; a man one day recieves news that his estranged father is dying so he returns home to visit him. The man still feels contepmt towards his father because he feels he never knew who he truly was and that he hid behind his elaborate stories. This easily could have become very dull and played out, but thanks to many surprise twists and scores of quirky characters courtesy of Tim Burton and John August, it was utterly entrancing from start to finish. I reccomend it to anyone in the mood for something light and a bit peculiar but still moving.

A Poem

2009-05-26T17:33:00.002-04:00

Here's a short little something I wrote a while ago...

Rain

I am the rain
Scattered thoughts pour from my mind
One here, one there, they fall anywhere,
You can hear them, you can see them
But they soon fade away
And slip back into the jar I keep in my head,
Waiting for the next rainy day.

Fun in the City

2009-05-25T21:08:00.002-04:00

I had a very interesting experience this Sunday when I took a trip to the city with a friend of mine. At one point in the day, we decided to stop at McDonald's for some ice cream. We were waiting in line and all was normal until two very large girls came and stood behind us. One of the girls proceeded to express her disgust for people to the other girl among other things. My friend and I weren't really listening to them but they were quite loud and standing right behind us. Soon after her remark about loathing people in general, my friend and I began laughing at a joke I made. The joke had nothing to do with the girls behind us but they seemed to think it did. Luckily for us, the McDonald's was extremely crowded or else one of the girls would have "taken off her fake nails and popped someone."

That day, I learned never to make jokes while standing in line in front of large, angry people who claim to hate the world because next time the restaurant might not be so full.

A Poem

2009-05-14T20:07:00.002-04:00

Here's another poem I wrote a while ago.

I am From…

I am from the deep, dark and infinite sea,
From the lighthouse guiding ships safely home
I’m from the fairy tales read while I drift off to sleep

I’m from long car rides and animal crackers
And arriving home, whatever the destination,
From the sweet salty air or the sweeter maple syrup

I’m from smile more and worry less
From broken calculators and fresh sharpened pencils
From words on a page and numbers crossed out in rage

I’m from the scars and the scrapes adorning my body
From the cast and the IV piercing my skin
Broken bones and learning to move again

Movie Review

2009-05-09T23:16:00.004-04:00

This week, I rented the Godfather (Al Pacino is amazing in that movie!!!) and Yes Man. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from Yes Man at all. Not one of the commercials for it made me laugh or think that it would be that entertaining. I was actually pleasantly surprised by it. It was much funnier than I thought it would be. It's not Jim Carey's best by any means, but at least he's not trying to take himself seriously (remember The Number 23?). If you're in the mood for a light-hearted bit of fun, you should pick it up.

A Poem

2009-04-26T09:10:00.002-04:00

This is a poem I wrote about child soldiers for this show we did at school about human trafficking. It's a very real, very dangerous problem and my poem touches on a few aspects of child soldiering.

Innocence at War

Innocence stolen from its bed

In the dead of night.

Lies and fear fill its head

Choice is gone, you have to fight.

Innocence ripped out from inside you

The moment you first fired the gun

Haunting memories always find you

No matter how far or fast you run.

Innocence taken from a child

Forced to fight in a grown man's war

Once a bird flying free and wild,

Now beaten, broken, can no longer soar.

Movie Review

2009-04-25T10:30:00.002-04:00

Last night I rented the Reader starring Ralph Fiennes and Kate Winslet. It was really quite good. It's the story of a young German boy who begins an affair with an older women, played perfectly by Ms. Winslet, and ends up falling in love with her. Later on, while studying law, he sees the woman again only to find out she is being tried for murdering 300 Jews during the Holocaust. The story was really heartbreaking, especially after the boy finds out the woman he loves is a monster. Perhaps monster isn't the best word to describe her, for even though she fully admitted to being part of the S.S. during the Second World War, we can't help but feeling bad for her as she sits on trial utterly terrified. It was a bit confusing at the beginning because it kept jumping from decade to decade as the protagonist reflects on different points in his life but you soon get used to it. If you're in the mood for an explosive action movie, don't rent the Reader. If, however, you are in the mood for slower paced emotional drama, this film is for you.

Don't you just hate it when...

2009-04-22T18:00:00.004-04:00

You read an amazing book and then are excited to see the movie, but the movie sucks big time? I do. I recently read Lord of the Flies by William Golding and absolutely loved it. After we finished we watched the movie in English class. I was so disappointed! It was almost nothing like the book. The cast was alright, especially Piggy and Simon who were adorable. Jack, however, didn't even have red hair! That's his defining physical trait! How hard could it possibly be to find a lanky red haired kid with some acting ability? Also, Why did the director feel the need to make the kids American cadets??

Another thing I disliked about the movie was the downplay of all the important symbols from the book such as the beastie and the Lord of the Flies. They almost never came up throughout the film. It's as if the creators of the movie went out of their way to make it inaccurate and annoying. I suppose it would have been watchable if I hadn't read the book, but seeing as I have, it was utterly infuriating.

(P.S. I'm reffering to the movie released in 1990 starring Balthazar Getty)

And the Winner is...

2009-04-21T22:23:00.005-04:00

So who else thinks Miss California is an idiot? It's one thing for her to think gay marriage should be banned but a whole other thing for her to announce it on live television while trying to win Miss USA. She could have given an inoffensive, intelligent answer without "compromising her beliefs" but she thought it would be better to tell the gay man asking her the question that he shouldn't be allowed to get married. Good job. What's worse is that even after all the backlash and criticism over her comment, she's further proving her idiocy by fully standing by what she said. Even Miley Cyrus is speaking out against Miss Cali. You know you are seriously disturbed when Miley Freaking Cyrus sounds more intelligent than you. This girl needs to wake up and realise that this is the 21st century and everyone should have equal rights. Maybe after that she should go watch Milk.

Marathon man

2009-04-20T07:24:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to give a shout out to my dad who is currently running in the Boston Marathon! We know you'll do great and we know you'll do amazing!

Open up a little happiness today...

2009-04-05T11:48:00.005-04:00

The latest song constantly stuck in my head is called Open Happiness. It's a lovely collaboration featuring Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy, Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes, Cee-lo Green of Gnarls Barkley, Janelle Monae and Brendon Urie from Panic at the Disco (sigh)! It's a really catchy song featuring many talented artists. Listening to it just makes you smile! The song was actually put together by Coca Cola. You can listen to it on YouTube, myspace or download it on itunes. Check it out and open up a smile on your face!

LOL

2009-03-29T19:26:00.001-04:00

I'm sorry Christian Bale, I still adore you but this video is hilarious!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70r-Ca8wcVg

Movie Review

2009-03-29T19:06:00.006-04:00

Just finished watching Australia. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Unlike last week's rental which was critically acclaimed and overrated beyond all belief, this film was bashed by practically everyone. Naturally, I was expecting an epic fail. what I got instead was both a thrilling adventure and a heartwarming love story. I can see how some people may not appreciate it though. It was very extravagant and over the top, but I would have been disappointed if visionary director Baz Luhrmann provided us with any less. Honestly though, the film has something for everyone. There were laughs, tears, gasps and internal cries of outrage. I would say the one downfall was the long running time of almost three hours. However, before being turned off by craptastic reviews, give it a chance and you may be in for a treat!

Movie Review

2009-03-21T19:50:00.003-04:00

Tonight's rental was Rachel Getting Married starring Anne Hathaway. It's about a recovering addict who's been in and out of rehab for several years and is now home for her sister's wedding. I must say, I'm a touch disappointed. It is a grand departure from Hathaway's usual sugary sweet roles in rom-coms and she does do a very good job with the part. You can understand her pain and all her character's struggles but the shaky reality show style filming is really distracting. The movie tries quite hard to be "real" but it comes off as a bit too unfinished at times. The movie also had it's share of filler which includes the actors all just sitting around having random conversations about stupid, trivial things like loading freaking dishwashers. Anne's performance is not totally undeserving of an Oscar nod but let's just say watching this movie once was more than enough for me.

Movie Review

2009-03-15T14:57:00.005-04:00

In case you were still wondering, yes I do watch way more movies than the average person does and probably should. Anyways, last night I watched College at a friends birthday party and it was one of the saddest excuses of film I've ever seen, so I won't bore you with reasons why you shouldn't watch it. Instead, I'll tell you why you should see Milk starring Sean Penn and Josh Brolin. It was really an amazing film. Sean most definitely deserved the Oscar for his portrayal of slain gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. The film's historical accuracy was heightened by the many actual news clips shown throughout it. What happens to the gays and Harvey is so infuriating but also leaves you with an important message: Be who you are and never give up hope. This movie is for anyone and everyone and if you haven't already seen it, go rent it now.

Christian the Lion

2009-03-13T17:05:00.002-04:00

I rarely watch Oprah but I happened to catch a glimps of it today. A video was featured called Christian the Lion. It's a true story about two men who adopted a lion cub in 1969. This is the sweetest video I've ever seen. You can't not cry while watching this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjWtRYaxmWM

Miles to Go...

2009-03-09T20:20:00.002-04:00

Miley Cyrus never ceases to amaze me with how petty and desperate for attention she is. The sixteen year old tart is actually coming out with a memoir called Miles to Go, how clever. This is by far one of the stupidist things she's thought of yet. It's worse than her expectimg to win an oscar for Hannah Montana. She's sixteen! I'm sure that nothing remotley interesting has ever happened in her life that we all haven't heard of from the press. It like totally bothers me how she like takes her self like soo seriously, you know? If i read the book (which I won't) I wouldn't be able to keep her hiddeous voice ( it's like a cross between valley girl and a forty year old man) out of my head. Why won't she just go away!?

Movie Review

2009-03-08T11:30:00.002-04:00

Last night, the family and I watched Bill Maher's new documentary Religulous. throughout the film, Bill seeks answers to religious mysteries by questioning priests, rabbis and other people with strong faith in Christ, God or Allah. It was quite a thought provoking movie. It seems Bill can come up with valid points and questions which leave even the most strong of faith speechless. He is also always willing to say whatever is on his mind, filling the documentary with many laughs as well as many "Oh no he didn'ts!" Honestly, Mr. Maher is one of the most intelligent, witty people of our time and his movie is as equally brilliant as he is.

Movie Review

2009-02-26T18:47:00.005-05:00

Time for another movie review! My most recent rental was Changeling starring Angelina Jolie as a young mother who is forced to challenge the corrupt LAPD when her nine year old son goes missing. It was a really moving, emotional sometimes disturbing film. The thing that really got me was that its a true story. It's awful to think of and see all the terrible things this woman had to go through just to find out what really happened to her boy. Jolie's performance is very stirring and you can really feel her pain and desperation. However, she never appears weak which adds to the appeal of her character. The story itself is shocking and I was quite surprised to have never heard anything about the real life events which inspired the film. I guess the police department tried to keep it as under wraps as possible. All in all, it was an excellent movie. However, make sure you watch a nice brainless comedy soon after (Zoolander is always good), it isn't exactly a feel good film.

The 81st Annual Academy Awards: Part Three

2009-02-23T15:33:00.004-05:00

So I stayed up until the end of the show last night but was too tired to write anything else about it. I was quite happy with how everything panned out. The whole Bollywood meets African choir thing with John Legend and the composer from Slumdog Millionaire was really fantastic and quite visually stunning. Kate Winslet FINALLY won. I was quite happy with that. She's one of the most accomplished, diverse actresses of our time. I'm also happy with Sean Penn winning for best actor. I find him quite endearing despite his tough exterior. The way the awards for best actor and actress and such was really cool. They felt more personal. All in all, I felt the show was quite entertaining this year and I'm already looking forward to next year.

One last highlight of the show for me was at the very end when they were showing previews of asome of the movies to come in 2009. There was one for Public Enemies (Christian Bale+Johnny Depp+Sweet 1930's setting = GENIOUS) which I can't wait to see. Perhaps it will be nominated next year along with HannaH Montana the Movie!

The 81st Annual Academy Awards: Part Two

2009-02-22T22:00:00.005-05:00

Good God I love Heath Ledger! Honestly, he is one of my favourite actors. I've loved him ever since I first saw 10 Things I Hate About You. If he hadn't won, I would have had a mental breakdown. I'm all for a good upset but COME ON!! You cannot deny the twisted beauty of his final performance. I'm not going to lie, I'm crying right now. He truly deserved it.

The 81st Annual Academy Awards: Part One

2009-02-22T21:38:00.005-05:00

It's Oscar night!! Tonight is the night I look forward to all year. Mostly everyone look good on the red carpet, my personal favourites were Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Natalie Portman and Freida Pinto. Robert Pattinson looks as gorgeous as ever and Miley Cyrus looks as awful as ever. No surprises there. Miley even took the time to let the good people of Earth know that her new Hannah Montana Movie will be really deep and heartfelt and that she even hopes to win an Oscar next year! Yeah right. So far, Hugh Jackman has been really excellent as host. The opening number was genious. Ben Stiller's impression of Joaquin Phoenix was amazing as well. The award for best supporting actor is coming up soon. I geniuinly hope Heath Ledger wins. Not because he died and would be a really triumphant story but because it was one of the most hauntlingy awsome preformances I've witness in a long time, and I would know, I watch a lot of movies. Hugh Jackman is singing again now, this time with Beyonce, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens (eww) Dominic Cooper and Amanda Seyfried. It's a medly celebrating musicals so obviously I love it! Hugh actually has a really nice voice a good sense of humour.

That's all for now.

Demetri!

2009-02-15T13:57:00.003-05:00

I'm not generally a fan of stand up comedy, but when it comes to Demetri Martin, I'll make and exception. He's amazingly brilliant. His jokes are so simple but so witty at the same time. He has a dry sarcastic sense of humour so obviously I adore him. I recomend looking him up on youtube, here's some of his best work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiFrfeJ8dKM. Honestly, it's hilarious. He also has a new show called Important things which debuted on Comedy Central last week. Unfourtunatly, I don't get that channel. :( Oh well, thank God for youtube!

What the...?

2009-02-12T16:47:00.003-05:00

Last night Joaquin Phoenix was on Letterman. Describing the interview as weird would be an underatatement. It was the most awkwardly hilarious train wreck I've ever witnessed. Joaquin was acting so stoned. It was hard to tell if he was faking or not though. He barely answered any of Dave's questions and just sort of sat there bobbing his head around. I don't understand why he would throw away a perfectly credible acting career to pursue music. Not just any kind of music though, HIP HOP! If he decided to put out an album that sounded even remotely like what he did in Walk the Line, then it might be acceptable. but Rap? HE'S A MIDDLE-AGED WHITE GUY! DOES HE THINK HE'S EMINEM OR SOMETHING? And what's with his beard? He was completely okay looking before. Now he looks like a greasey hobo. Really Joaquin, shave and go back to acting.

Polaroids

2009-02-10T19:40:00.007-05:00

So I just found this program called Poladroid which allows you to change regular pictures into digital polaroids. It's really quite amusing. I don't have much to write about today so I'll just post a few random pictures of my trip to italy and such.

Grammy Awards: part two

2009-02-08T23:16:00.007-05:00

So the show is almost over.. Radiohead was awesome. Thom Yorke is the only skinny, British white guy who can get away with dancing like that. It truly pains me to say it, but Lil' Wayne's second preformance wasn't totally crash and burn. After he stopped rapping it was kind of entertaining. I still completely despise him though. Also, why does every single rapper feel it necessary to thank God in their acceptance speeches? Really? When's the last time any of them actually went to church? I'm sure God totally condones drugs, guns and hoes. Anyways, Robert Plant and some other random girl just won album of the year. Coldplay was robbed, that's all I have to say about that.

The Grammys: part one

2009-02-08T21:54:00.009-05:00

So the Grammys are on right now. M.I.A looks like she's about to explode! I was all excited to hear her singing Paper Planes but then was disappointed to have it cut off and turned into a hiddeous hip hop/ rap display featuring Lil' Wayne (my least favourite "artist" of all time aside from Miley Cyrus). Speaking of Miley, she also sounded awful tonight, especially compared to Taylor Swift. Aside from that though, the prformances tonight have been good so far. Coldplay was great, obviously. Chris Martin Even got a new outfit for the occasion. They were so adorable and humble when accepting their awards. Jeniffer Hudson was positivly incredible and moving. Katy Perry's elaborate performance was enjoyable, as were the Jobros and Stevie Wonder. Paul McCartney and Steve Grohl just performed, they were quite good. I'm still waiting for Radiohead to preform, they should be comming up soon. Anyways, I'll post more about the awards later!

Movie Review

2009-02-07T09:25:00.007-05:00

Last night I rented a movie called Nick and Norah's Infinate Playlist. It's the story of two teens (played by Kat Dennings and Michael Cera) who meet by chance while both trying to find their favourite band's secret show. Hilarity and randomness ensue when they not only have to find the show but Norah's drunken, missing best friend Caroline. I really enjoyed this movie. Michael Cera was most definately the highlight for me. Everything he says is really random, funny and natural. He's just generally adorable. I think I would rate this movie 8/10. I'd reccomend it to anyone looking for a slightly intelligent, quirky romantic comedy.

Free Song of the Week

2009-02-04T19:49:00.004-05:00

I just adore itunes. Most people prefer Limewire or other free downloading sites but I really like knowing I bought a song legally. I don't know why, I'm just weird like that. Anyways, I've been buying songs on itunes now for about three years so naturally I was surprised when I discovered the free single of the week feature. You'd think I would have noticed it sooner. Oh well. Since I've been downloading these free tracks, I've been pleasantly surprised with how good they are. They are usually new, fairly unknown singers or bands so the songs have yet to be destroyed by the radio and are often quite upbeat and quirky. The last one I downloaded is a charming little ditty by Matt & Kim called Daylight. It sounds to be slightly inspired by Coldplay's piano-driven dance track Lovers in Japan but the vocals are much harder than Chris Martin's. I recomend downloading the free singles each week even if you don't think you'll like them, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Leave Christian Alone!

2009-02-03T20:30:00.004-05:00

As many of you may have heard, a tape was leak of Christian Bale freaking out at the director of photography on the set of Terminator: Salvation. People have jumped to ridiculous conclusions, calling Mr. Bale a diva and suggesting he needs anger management. Everyone should just leave him alone. Haven't we all had bad days? Some people just channel their anger in different ways than others. He was Probablly just tired and wanted to get home to his wife and daughter. Also, if he was really into character, it's understandable that he would be pissed if someone threw him off his groove. Sure, it wasn't the best way to handle things but sometimes people just need to yell for a bit. Also, if Christian has such a history of these random outbursts, why are we being bombarded with them all now at one time? We can't let this little incident cloud the fact that he is a fantastic actor truly dedicated to his craft (remember the Machinist?) There are dozens of other "celebrities" who deserve way less respect than him (Miley Cyrus or Lil' Wayne perhaps?) so just give him a freaking break, okay?