I'm a monkey and I'm walking out.

Ok this is getting Ridiculous. They are doing A Clash Of The Titans sequel!!! It's all about money isn't it. And I fell for it. I went, and upped the box office numbers and now they are taking a giant POO wrapped in TIN FOIL and making another 3 hour mind numbing brain dumbing piece of crapola. GRRRRRRR.

Boy.

Boy
Director: Taika Cohen
Starring: Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu, James Rolleston.
Wow. Wow. My heart filled with so much joy, so much sadness and so many warm fuzzies as I watched this film. What a brilliant movie. 'Boy' is a heart warming and heartbreaking film about a boy's love for his father and his blind faith in a Man who is so flawed. The simple and rather slow-paced story is touched with so many humorous moments, you feel like laughing and crying at the same time. The kids in this film are amazing. Rocky, Boy's little Brother just stole my heart and made me want to reach out and hug him. His belief that he has secret powers and is too strong for this earth are revealed to be born of a tragic event that he rationalises with the idea that he is magical. In one scene he points his fingers at a local bum who suddenly falls over. "Sorry" Rocky explains..."I think I did that".
More than anything Boy reminded me of being a kiwi kid. I went to a great school . Half of the 100 students were Maori and many of our lessons and especially music were bilingual. The first song in 'Boy' took me back to my rainbow carpeted classroom and my favourite song Oma Raapeti (Run Rabbit).
I really enjoyed this film. I have loved my holiday in NZ and this movie topped off a lovely time in good old Aoteroa.

Every single time I go to see a film I feel excited.

It wasn't foolish to show Daniel's bottom.

Flashbacks Of A Fool
Director: Baillie Walsh
Starring: Daniel Craig, Harry Eden, Mark Strong.
I'm not sure about this one. I think if I'd read the script I would have liked it but it just didnt seem to come together well. The problem is the film is set in the present and also in the late 70's and it just doesn't move from one era to the other seamlessly. Brief synopsis: A washed up Uk actor Joe news that a childhood friend has passed away. Before we can feel anything for Joe (Daniel Craig) and his loss it flashes back to him in his youth. We see how a series of unfortunate events and sexual awakenings affect his life forever. For me what made it very hard to watch was the music. It added to the disjointed feel of it all. Throughout the film the director chose the oddest tracks at the oddest times. From scene to scene the music would jump from the awful Roxy music to a searing track by Vivaldi. Music should compliment a scene and not draw me out of it. I loved some of the costumes. You cant really go wrong with the 70's. It's always fun to see a good pair of flares and some hideous platforms.

Viva La Valentino.

Valentino: The Last Emperor.
Director: Matt Tyrnauer
Starring: Valentino Garavani, Giancarlo Giammetti, Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfield, Anna Wintour.
I loved this documentary. My goodness what a different world! The world of couture. To think I used to want to be a part of it. I now enjoy watching it from afar. 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' follows the incredible designer over a 2 year period leading up to his 45th anniversary collection. We now know this was to be his last collection and as with all the other greats, 'Valentino' is no longer designed by Valentino himself. This film quickly becomes more about him in his private moments and less about the strikingly debonair and poised Valentino I have always seen on the runway. His Partner in life and love Giancarlo Giammetti is lovely. Valentino would be a difficult man to work for, let alone live with and be around 24 hours a day. Giancarlon mutters 'Mamma Mia' under his breath on a number of occaisions. Second to the dresses, I loved Valentino's dogs. He has 5 pugs!! We all know I love a pug. There is one scene where he has a hissy fit because someone left pins on the cutting room floor. He exclaimed "My Dogs are more important than ALL of this'. Oh the dresses! Valentino has always been famous for designing the most exquisite evening wear. He has rarely followed any trends, instead concentrating on creating the most feminine and lavish dresses I have ever seen. He dressed Jackie O, Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn and in Later years Keira Knightly, Gwenyth Paltrow, Elle Macpherson, to name a few.
I highly recommend this to any follower of fashion. It even made captain cold heart me clap my hands when he paraded loads of white wedding dresses. I want one.

They are making Monsters Inc 2!!!!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

The Actual title is 'Birdemic: Shock and Terror'.

This looks HILARIOUS. It has been called the worst movie ever made. I saw the trailer. It's about a town that gets attacked by eagles. A.MA.ZING. It has been showing in New York at midnight screenings and getting a real following. Look at the effects. Ha ha ha

Darling.

Cheri
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Friend, Kathy Bates.
I have always been such a fan of Dangerous Liasons. I especially love the costumes in it so I was keen to see Stephen Frears sumptuous rendition of the scandalous French Novel Cheri. I was also interested to see him paired with Michelle Pfeiffer after so many years. Isn't she such a beautiful creature! She truely is catlike. It follows the doomed affair between an ageing courtesan and a dissolutioned 19 year boy called Cheri. It was an easy watch with a surprisingly sad ending. I wouldn't say it was amazing but worth it for the set and costume design. The slow paced scenes almost seemed to linger a little long so to catch every beautiful fabric, every vase, every bunch of flowers. Beautiful.

I broke a comb in my hair today. Feel like the girl from 'The Ring'.

Wellywood.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Män som hatar kvinnor)
Director: Niels Arden Oplev
Starring:Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace.

I am in Wellington, NZ at the moment visiting my Mum. We went to this film last night. I had seen the preview and knew it was based on a bestselling book that was originally titled 'Men Who Hate Women'. I think the Latter title is more appropriate. This is a film with some serious sadistic male characters. I don't know if it was the best film to see with my Mum. It's never easy to sit through horrific rape scenes with your Mother next to you.!
The film follows a disgraced journalist and a 24yr old gothic hacker girl as they try to uncover a 40year old murder mystery. The plot is really intriguing and the momentum well paced. As with many book adaptions though, I don't think the director knew what to cut and what to keep. As a result the film is easily 30mins too long. After a grizzly and shocking revelation the movie could have ended well. Instead, the director draws out other, less interesting plot lines that left me feeling flat and bored.
The two lead actors are absolutely amazing. Noomi Rapace is both beautiful and intimidating. A scene where she seeks revenge on her abusive lawyer is air punchingly satisfying. She kicks Arse!
The icy cold sweden is a great back drop. I felt cold watching Lisbeth race around the cool dark streets on her motorcycle.
I love a murder mystery as much as the next person but the details of the murders in this film are brutal. I can imagine the book is even more so. Why would I want to read a book about torturing women? I would certainly never read a book entitled 'Men who Hate Women'. I think I'm too sensitive at the moment. I need to harden up. Or just watch some cartoons.

On a costume note. Lisbeth's costume was straight out of a comic book. Her heavy leather jacket, spray on Jeans, Harajuku pvc boots and loads of piercings. I loved it. Similar winners came to mind...

bubblebrain.

I shouldn't Write posts at the moment. My thoughts are busting out of my brain and I keep drifting off into my imagination instead of concentrating on what I am writing. crapola reviews I'm sorry. Instead I'll share a funny pic of one of my favs... Arnie! "Get To The Chopper".

No reason.

Rambling

The Edge Of Darkness
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring Mel Gibson, ray Winestone.
The problem is, I didn't make it to the end of this film. I'm not sure if my thoughts and comments will be complete really as this is a bit of a 'Who done it?' thriller and I failed to see who did it! I must say that I always enjoy Mel Gibson. I don't love a lot of films he is in but I just like looking at his head! I believe him. It has been a long time since we have seen Mel on screen. He has spent many years directing some incredible films. The Passion of Christ was such a harrowing film. I felt ill after watching it and remember sobbing at the cinema. Apocalypto was incredible too but a bit too full on for me. Early on in the film a baby gets strung up and killed and I was pretty much squirming from that point onwards. The Edge Of Darkness is a fast paced violent thriller with a very confronting opening scene. I love a good thriller. I watched 'Taken' last year with Liam Neeson and this reminded me a little of that. The plot is a little more convoluted in this one. Ray Winstone is as watchable as ever. What is it about him? He is so damn sexy. There is a scene where Mel and Ray have a undercover conversation on a park bench and Ray is drinking a glass of Red. You just know that Ray suggested that. So Rad. Im rambling today. My thoughts are all over the shop.
That movie in my head is playing again and I can't concentrate. Nice to see you again Mel.

Perfect Pedro

All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre)
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Cecilia Roth, Penelope Cruz.
Sometimes I just feel like watching an old favourite. It has been a few years since I have sat down and watched this. Considering Pedro Almodavar pops into my head probably most days, it seems only right that I watch and re-watch his films. All About My Mother is such a good film. I love it more and more each time. It's a slow burner and an odd little tale but it pinches some tiny little nerve in my heart and stays with me for some time. Like all Almodavar films, the characters are colourful, the story line is somewhat absurd and yet every conversation, every twist and every emotion is more real that the most true to life gritty films. His backdrops are always so delicious. I could pause each frame and just look at what the set decorator has hung up on the wall, or piled up in the corner of the kitchen. It is so bright and so Spanish. With his characters it is almost as though Pedro speaks for the slightly uncouth, the disadvantaged and the sidelined. A few of his films feature transvestites and transexuals. Instead of making a story out of their sexuality, he merely tells us the human story that of course every man and woman or man dressed as a woman would go through. I'd rather not disclose any of the storyline. There are no huge revelations in it but sometimes I think a film like this is best seen with no knowledge of it at all. Oh and an example of how Pedro pops into my head: I showed my Mum my fav bra from Paris today and said "It's like a Pedro Almodovar Bra". Should I learn Spanish and just move there and beg Pedro to let me work on one of his films? The thought has crossed my mind many times. Lets see "Adoro Pedro....."

pancakes

I have been receiving some great emails from people with lists of their favourite films. Thank you I love them! I was also asked how I choose what films to write about. I just wanted to reiterate that I only write about the films I watch each day. As soon as I see a film, I blog about it. I watch a lot of films, especially at the moment as I am not working. Soon I will have no free time and this blog will not be as regular. I would love to go back and write about all the films I have watched, loved and hated but I want this blog to be an actual chronological log for me. Two more films yesterday.......xxx

Teen Candy

Twilight Saga: New Moon
Director: Chris Weitz
Starring: Robert Pattison, Kristen Stewert, Taylor Lautiner.
I am a Twilight Fan
I have read the books, I have seen the films. I have been given Twilight gifts. I am one of the 15year old girls who thinks Edward Cullen is dreamy. (I only like Edward though....NOT Robert). I did not like this film. It was ridiculous, boring, cheesy and too long. This is actually the second time I've seen it. I was tired and felt like watching something mindless. I went to it for my Birthday in London last year and was very very excited. What a let down. The wolves looked rubbish. I really hope the next film picks up it's game. I guess it's going to be like The Harry Potter Franchise.....a few hits but lots of misses. Gosh last year was a big film fizzer. Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince was boring, Transformers 2 was unwatchable, Terminator 4 was zzzzzzzzzz. All I can say is bring on Ironman.

Spongebobdarthman.

I feel like Im getting all serious on this Blog. Thinking too much. At the End of the day my favourite movies are Batman and Star Wars. Lets not forget that.

The sadness confronted me. Not the sex.

Last Tango In Paris
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Starring: Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider
Costume Designer: Gitt Magrini
I saw this film as a teenager and wanted to see it again. I can't remember my initial thoughts on this film. I remember feeling naughty for watching it but can not remember if I actually liked it. I have been thinking about this film today. I can't work out if I like it or not. I think it's a very well done, well acted film but I don't feel good about it. There are many stories surrounding Last Tango In Paris (Ultimo tango a Parigi). Marlon Brando refused to learn his lines (not unusual for him). He insisted on pasting cue cards all over the set. In the scene where he laments to his wife in a lengthy monologue he keeps looking up at the ceiling where his cue cards were posted. I thought he was looking up at his wife in heaven! Brando also came up with the infamous butter scene. Maria Schneider has spoken about how she regrets this film and felt both physically and mentally raped by Brando and Bernado. Her animosity seems to be directed more towards Bernado as it is said she remained friends with Brando until his death. Marlon Brando also commented that he would never do a film like this again. I guess what has been bugging me all day is that Bernado said that this film was based on his ultimate fantasy. He dreamed of meeting a nameless girl in Paris and having a torrid sexual affair with her without any consequences. Does that mean I was meant to be turned on? Because I wasn't. I too can see the sexiness in that idea. But this film doesn't portray two sound of mind sexually confident people meeting and discrectly having sex. Brando's Paul is a broken, hurt, explosive beast who manipulates, chastises and bullies Jeanne. Jeanne does come back for more but she is 19! We all make mistakes as teenage girls, especially when it comes to relationships and sex. While watching it I felt such a sadness. Sometimes I love to be taken on an emotionally taxing ride but to think that Bernado described it in interviews time and time again as a fantasy more so than a sorry tale makes me fervently dislike him.
Costume note: I love everything Jeanne wears. It's a very natural looking wardrobe. It makes me think she possibly wore some of her own things which I love.

Cannes Film Festival Retrospective. The days of true movie star style.

My Pal Beth sent me these Brilliant Pics.xxx
1974 ~ French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg and his partner, British actress and singer Jane Birkin, attend the 1974 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Image by © Mirkine/Sygma/Corbis

1971 ~ American Actor Jack Nicholson, Cannes, France. ~ Image by © Mirkine/Sygma/Corbis

1969 ~ Actor, screenwriter and producer Peter Fonda (L) and director Dennis Hopper in Cannes to present their film “Easy Rider”. The film would be awarded the prize for best debut. ~ Image by © Mirkine/Sygma/Corbis

May, 1972 ~ Robert Redford at the Beach, Cannes, France ~ Image by © Condé Nast Archive/Corbis

1982, Cannes, France ~ Boxing great, Muhammad Ali ~ Image by © Richard Melloul/Sygma/Corbis

May, 1974 ~ Jack Nicholson Standing in a Pool, Cannes, France ~ Image by © Condé Nast Archive/ Corbis

May, 1973 ~ Kris Kristofferson, Cannes, France ~ Image by © Condé Nast Archive/Corbis

1981 ~ Scottish actor Sean Connery sits aboard a private airplane on his way to the Cannes Film Festival. ~ Image by © Richard Melloul/Sygma/CORBIS

1977 ~ Austrian-born American actor and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, 30th Cannes Film Festival. ~ Image by © Yves Coatsaliou/Sygma/Corbis

1971 ~ CANNES, FRANCE: Keith Richard, a member of the Rolling Stones, escorts his partner, actress Anita Pallenberg, and their two children to a screening of Rolling Stones’ concerts under the title, “Gimme Shelter,” May 20th. A thousand teenagers were invited to the show and stamped, whistled and clapped their way through the film. ~ Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

Femme.

A little Note. I only Like Penelope in spanish Films. I found it so much easier to come up with favourite actors and also repeat performances by that actor. I think my absolute fav is Emily Watson. What A Beautiful bunch! Found it hard to add many Aussies and recent up and coming actresses. The young ones are pretty and......pretty. Oh Audreys. Both Audreys are just too much.