I never wish to be parted from you from this day forth.

No matter how early I have to get up for work- I have to allow myself at least an hour to get ready.
If I am up early, chances are I have to hit the ground running on set and I won't have a chance to settle into the day. So that hour in the morning is precious to me. What do I do in that hour? I make a cup of tea, wash my face, get back into bed and watch a movie. Not a whole movie obviously. One movie can go for a whole week and I will just catch half hour increments of it while I paint my lashes.
Generally I will just watch old movies that I have already seen that I know will give me some sort of reprieve from what can only be described as a generally anxious morning demeanor.
This last week I was particularly stressed. I began the first week of shooting only the second feature film I have designed myself.
I turned to one of my guilty pleasures.  My Pal Beth describes this genre as a 'sexy bonnet' movie (although she is not a fan of Austen films). Pride and Predjudice.
I've spoken in the past about the BBC version with the divine Colin Firth. This one stars one of my least favourite actresses Keira Knightly. She pouts her way through many a film but for some reason I think she perfectly suits the role of Elizabeth Bennet. Matthew Macfadyen plays the irresistable Mr Darcy.
It was clear this week, that I was both slightly delerious and slightly fragile. I can't tell you how many times I got teary over this film. They weren't tears of sadness. I just felt overwhelmed by the scope of the landscapes and the music. Do I sound like a lunatic? Possibly. You will know what I mean when you watch it. Remember Lizzie Bennet standing on the edge of a cliff top over looking the misty romantic English countryside?  It is such a beautifully shot film and the scenery adds to the romanticism.
But everything made me teary. Her love for Mr Darcy (so evident from the first meeting), her love for her Father (heartbreakingly good Donald Sutherland), the piano playing, everything!
I guess it reminds me of those times in my life that I have stood somewhere breathtakingly beautiful and been swept up in world. You know those moments when you look out at the world and your heart just bursts with possibilities? I'm rambling AGAIN.
This movies makes me feel like that. It hit those nerves in me and my head and heart went off in a million directions.
Favourite scenes (Spoiler alert if you haven't seen/read it:)
Lizzie takes a walk at dawn across a misty moor. She is heartbroken upon realising she does infact love Mr Darcy who she so cruelly turned down. She sees him in the distance. They can hardly speak and he says:
"I have to tell you. You have bewitched me body and soul and I love......I love.....I love you".
They don't even kiss. I LOVE it.
Ok I'm going to sleep.
I have so many films to write about....perhaps I will have a Pollywood morning.
Night night.

I miss you.

I'm sorry. I have sunk into the abyss of work. Every day I think of things I want to write about on Pollywood but my tired head can't bring myself to type.
I am working on a feature film here in Melbourne. This time I am designer. This is only the second feature film I have designed. I am excited and exhausted. Every day I realise that while I am so thankful for the years I have done and the experience  have garnered- I still have a lot to learn.
I'm working with some lovely people. I never tire of meeting new and interesting people. I think it's half the  reason I do what I do.
So I'm sorry if Pollywood is a little quiet. I will be back in a month and unemployed and trawling every nerd site for interesting film news. I have saved lots of post ideas and also a review of the incredible 'Biutiful'.
Lots of Love
P

Deathly Hallows. So. Excited. I may wee a little.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3414334745/

They've just released a behind the scenes snippet from the final Harry Potter film. I can't believe it's actually ending. It's been a part of my movie nerdom for so long now.

Go to sleep Polly. Do not ramble.

Last night one of my dear friends Jody had her 30th birthday party. It was an enchanted night with a storybook theme. It truly was magical. How this relates to films you ask? Well this particular bunch of people are a crew of folks I have worked with over the years. Many of them I met and grew to love on the film 'Rogue'. As I looked around the room last night I felt so grateful that my job has brought me so many incredible friends.
I don't see these people enough but when I do it's like nothing has changed. I love that. I also get so inspired talking to so many rad heads that always seem to be embarking on some adventure in the world of make believe and film.
This may all sound airy fairy.....I am writing this on about 1 hour sleep. My point is that not only do I love my job because it creatively challenges and pushes me, it also puts people in my life that are extraordinary.
Check out my pal Jody's website....just a taste of her unique ability to capture light like no other.
http://www.jodymuston.com/#/welcome

Oh Terry.

Around this time last year I was packing up my DVD collection in London. I went through a big Marlon Brando phase and most of the films I bought there were his. Have you seen On The Water front? Next to Streetcar, it's one of my favourite

                   

“You don’t understand– I could-a had class.  
                                 I could-a been a contender.

I could-a been somebody… instead of a bum, which is what I am– let’s face it.”

-Marlon Brando  in “On the Waterfront”

Now I'm excited.

Ohhh look at Hugo Weaving as Captain Red Skull in Captain America.

Super Rad.

WHEN IS THE FINAL HARRY POTTER OUT????????

Bumble bee.

Don't know what to think or who to trust. The soundtrack already hurts. Can Michael Idiot Bay redeem himself? Watch link and decide.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2859506201/

Movie Of the week.

Amelie.
As I dream of France, of love and of never ever letting go of the child who rules my heart and mind, I remember Amelie. Wasn't Audrey Tatou such a find. She reminds me of Bambi with those big doe eyes.
Such a beautiful film.
She sees bunnies in the sky.
I see them bursting out of fire hydrants.

Tim Burton's next project

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame with Josh Brolin.
Thoughts?

Interesting article on Britain's recent accolades and the effect on it's industry.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/mar/01/what-now-for-british-cinema

I blame Gertie in E.T....

Sometimes I watch really rubbish films. What's worse is sometimes they get to me.
I am completely aware that somewhere in L.A there is a large chart with a formula for shit romantic comedies and depending on my romantic state of mind, I must fall into a demographic that these films are made for.
Exhibit A:
Going The Distance. Have you seen it?
You can't actually sink lower in terms of formula, rubbish acting and predictability.
Firstly it stars Drew Barrymore. Drew is adorable but she can't act.
Secondly it stars that absolute git from the Mac ads Justin Long. He annoys me immensely.
Add 2 side kick idiot mates for Justin and an overbearing anal sister for Drew and you have a stupid, formulaic film. Oh and the story line  (hardly worth a mention):  Two people meet, fall in love, try to have  long distance relationship, fail and then succeed. The end.
What is totally tragic is that I enjoyed it!
I understand the pains of long distance relationships. It is my present predicament and one that frustrates me in such a relatable way. Perhaps it's as simple as that.
I apologise for liking this film. Don't seek it out. But don't turn it off if it's on the telly.
The phone sex scene is hilarious.
I'm sorry.
P.S I'm sorry.

Dear Clark, Bruce, Peter and Tony. Bruce wins.

I don't like Superman.
I don't.
I like a lot of superheroes and it may pain fellow nerds but I find him boring.
Nerd fact: Superman is the only super hero who's alter ego is his human role. Batman, Ironman and Spiderman are all human and turn into their alter egos whereas Superman is an alien. Doesn't make him interesting though.
I've had many an argument about superman. When I worked on The Eagle, I stood on the side of a mountain in Scotland arguing with one of the seal people 'Bemn' about him He was a big fan and it pained him that I was such a nerd with no regard for his ultimate hero. He went to great lengths to tell me  about what Superman represented but I just didn't buy it. Sorry Bemn.
BUT: They are making a new superman movie. I didn't even see the last one.
There are a few people attached to this new film that have given me a little hope.
One is the director Zack Snyder who is responsible for the excellent Watchmen and the radically violent 300. I loved 300. I own it. It's the closest thing to UFC fighting on screen.
Secondly....Superman is set to be played by the delicious Henry Cavill. Don't know him? Oh shame. He's been in nothing of merit. He's in The Tudors (Days Of Our Lives with tights or as Beth likes to call it our"Sexy Bonnet show").
He is beautiful. Simply gorgeous. I could watch him pick his nose.
So I'm intrigued. I still think Clark's a dork but with Zack and Henry, I'm willing to jump on the nerd train and pop my knickers on over my jeans.

I clicked "LIKE".

I think that The Social Network is one of my favourite films of last year. I think that it's success is largely thanks to an exceptional script by Aaron Sorkin. The dialogue is incredibly fast, incredibly concise and utterly entertaining. The cast is brilliant. Jesse Eisenberg plays Mark Zuckerberg so perfectly. I promptly watched loads of real interviews with Mark and Jesse captures his quirks brilliantly.
Justin Timberlake seems set to become quite good actor. Is that too much? Can you be a radical pop star and a great actor? I'm a fan so I'm slightly biased. I went to see Justin Timberlake in concert. Yes I did. The people sitting next to me asked me where my friends were. I promptly pointed to a bunch of strangers and waved at them. "There they are". A bemused bunch of people waved back. Captain no mates squealing at captain sexy back.
Facebook is a part of my life. I hate to admit it but it is. This movie felt like a landmark in a time that is completely relatable to me and my generation.
I'm in the matrix that is facebook and watching it's beginnings and fall outs was absolutely fascinating.