I've been catching up on movies this Christmas break. Hopefully, I'll get to watch more. Yay.
In the meantime, here are some of the movies I've watched during the 2nd term and this Christmas break. I was only able to watch a select few because of the very very insane/busy/hellish 2nd term this school year. I am expecting the same insanity this coming 3rd term. Wish me luck.
These aren't proper reviews. Basically, it just says whether I liked it or not, in a few paragraphs. And I'm rating the movies out of
5 based on entertainment value (to me) and overall appeal of the story, characters, actors etc.
Hairspray (2007)
I love musicals, I really do. And Hairspray was a good movie but it was too peppy and cheerful for me. The songs are really catchy, the costumes were fabulous and the casting couldn’t be more perfect but ehh..
There’s something that I didn’t like that much.
And it’s not John Travolta. I absolutely loved him in the movie. He should do more female roles because he carries it really well. It might even save his career.
Zac Efron was cute in the movie. And Nikki Blonsky too. And Elijah Kelley! And James Marsden! Finally, he's in a movie where his character is likable!
The movie was fine until Queen Latifah’s role came along. I didn’t like her songs. Boring.
2.5 out of 5
The History Boys (2006)
One of the things I love (that I only realized this moment) is picking up a movie that you know nothing about and ending up loving it so much it’s embarrassing. If you get what I mean.
My first copy of the film was a pirated one (note: we rarely buy pirated DVDs.) It was one of those 3 for P100 bins and I already got Da Vinci Code (big mistake, it was a cam-in-theater copy) and The Full Monty (another big mistake, didn’t check the inside. Found Deuce Bigalow American Gigolo instead. :[ huhu). I found a copy of it one of the bins and looked at the cover, thinking that it might be interesting because it looks like School Ties/Dead Poets Society (prep school uniforms and gorgeous guys).
But I would just like to mention that I now own an original copy of the movie. I loved The History Boys so much, I made my sister buy the DVD while she was in the US. It was freakin’ $24 (not including tax) but my sister didn’t seem to mind paying for it. I was disappointed with the lack of special features, the official website even had more videos of the Boys having fun! Hopefully a deluxe edition is in store?!? Wishful thinking.
Back to the film. Homosexuality and balls-handling are one of the issues of the movie/play, but it really isn’t the point of the film. The three teachers have three very different methods in educating the eight boys being prepared to take exams for Oxford and Cambridge. One teacher hopes to educate students in a way that they remember and take into heart the lessons being taught. Another wants a sensationalized approach in tackling history.
I think majority of those who love this film (and play) love it because of the cute guys. Duh. I wish I could’ve seen the original cast on stage. Especially Samuel Barnett. OMG. He’s my favorite character (Posner) in The History Boys. I simply adore/love his “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” scene. Loved the soundtrack as well.
I’ve watched this movie too many times my sister says it’s obsessive.
5 out of 5
Paris Je T'aime (2006)
I haven’t exactly finished this yet. The concept is interesting and wonderful, a collaboration of films about love in the different "arrondissements" in the city of lights—Paris, but I didn’t exactly enjoy all the short films.
*EDIT! Finally finished it!
And here are the short films that I
liked:
1.
Quais de Seine - Cute. The guy is cute too.
2.
Bastille - Sad and funny. Loved this one.
3.
Place des fetes - Sad, but really good. :(
4.
Pigalle - I loved this one!
5.
Quartier de la Madeleine - Weird and cheesy but I liked it! (Elijah Wood hoho)
6.
Pere-Lachaise - Funny! Rufus Sewell is kinda cute. Even if he is scary looking.
7.
14e Arrondissement - Hehe.
7 out of 18. Hmm. The rest, obviously, I didn't like it that much. Even if
Le Marais had Gaspard Ulliel, didn't like it that much. Some were really strange, like
Porte de Choisy, so I didn't particularly liked watching it. Some were okay, but I wasn't emotionally (?!?!?) pleased with it. Or something. Aahh. Anyhoo, in my opinion, there were more uninteresting shorts than good ones.
Watching this has made me nostalgic too. I've only been to Paris once, back in 2001 when I DID NOT APPRECIATE THE TRIP AT ALL. Looking back, I wish I had written more about the trip. Le sigh.
3.75 out of 5
Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
The dvd was actually my birthday present to my younger sister because she was studying Spanish in school and wanted to watch movies in Spanish. Can’t believe I really got this for my little sister even if I perfectly knew the material in it. But she’s 19. And she has two big sisters to come to for whatever.
Ok, so I was wrong. The movie isn’t entirely about sex. But there are a number of graphic scenes that are too much for young adults.
Anyway, it was another “ok” movie. I could tell there’s a much deeper meaning to the film other than sex. But it’s unfortunate that the sex and the nudity is all that people seem to talk about.
Not me. I’ll just say how hot Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal is. They’re so short… but hot. The actress who played Luisa is fug, sorry to say. At least the two hot guys saved her fugliness. I’m so mean.
A lof the scenes in the film were funny too, like Julio and Tenoch bickering about screwing each other’s girlfriends. The ending was sad though. Because of that one night of awkwardness, they never became friends again. They were not able to pursue their true ambitions as well.
Oh well. Entertaining. Kept me awake.
3 out of 5
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)
I only watched this movie because Samuel Barnett is in it. His scenes were like less than 5 minutes but I didn’t mind, I just HAD to watch it.
And I liked it as well! Judy Dench is delicious!! Haha. She really is, her character is light and fluffy and silly and annoying all at the same time. Her one-liners are outstanding as well. The “foliage” and “midlands” scene was one of the funniest scenes in the film.
The nudity didn’t bother me, it was all for arts sake. Well, not really, but it was relevant to the movie. Some of the men showed theirs as well. Including Bob Hoskins. Do not want!!!!
Samuel Barnett’s character was incredibly sweet but then (spoiler) he leaves the girl pregnant and then tells her that he has to go back to his girlfriend. Bitch! It was devastating.
I also cried a bit near the end when Mrs. Henderson tells the men in uniform about her son dying in the war. Ahh. At least I enjoyed the movie, even if I wasn’t expecting Samuel’s character to be an ass.
4.25 out of 5
Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
After watching Jeux d’Enfants, I decided to try watching another mainstream French movie.. like Amélie!
I’ve always been curious with this film. Everyone seems to rave and gush about it. It’s even in my coffee table book, 501 Must See Movies. I’ve seen clips of the heart pounding scene and Audrey Tautou’s impish smile plastered in every movie recommendation blog so why not?
Initial reaction: It was ok.
Some of the characters were not very memorable so it was difficult for me to follow some of the storylines. But it is an enjoyable film! My favorite scenes were of Amelie being scared to face Nino. I could totally relate to her.
Lovely music too. I need to watch this again, ASAP!
*EDIT Watched it again! It is better the second time around! And I'm going to be one of those who rave and gush about it. Rating changed to 5!
5 out of 5
Jeux d'Enfants (2003)
The summary/synopsis was enough to make me interested in this film. This is actually the first French film I’ve ever seen.
It is a beautiful film. A bit weird but the characters are (at least in my opinion) interesting and the cinematography and colors are simply beautiful. I have seen it thrice already. I’ve also added it to one of my favorite movies.
Some apparently do not like it because they think it is too predictable, unrealistic and childish. That’s from the people on the IMDB boards. But I like it, anyway. It is entertaining and lovely from start to finish.
And although the music becomes repetitive at some point, the score is beautifully done. I have grown to love Louie Armstrong’s version of “La Vie En Rose” compared to the other versions in the soundtrack. Nothing beats Edith Piaf, of course.
Which reminds me… I want to watch La Mome! I hear Marion Cotillard is exceptional in it.
5 out of 5
