February 22, 2009

Earth (2009)

Presented by Disney Earth, premiering on Earth Day, we have the story of four families and their journey across our planet. Narration by James Earl Jones (who they couldn't have picked anyone better) and using the song Hoppipola by Sigur Ros, it couldn't have been been more perfect. I think this is one we'll laugh, we'll cry, we'll shake hands and then go home and recycle something. This will hopefully encourage all of us to go a little greener and save what we have to risk.



Go Earth! Go Green!

Inglorious Basterds (2009)

I think it's safe to say that this is going to be my favorite of 2009.

From the brilliant vision of Quentin Tarantino, we have a movie set during WWII where a group known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers. (From IMDB.com)

Coming August 21st 2009.

Academy Awards

I had a teacher recently, who says that the Academy Awards are just a popularity contest. It's a way for actors to kiss other actors' ass. Well, that may be his take on the Oscars but I find that they are a way to open our eyes and minds to new movies that are out there. When I was young I remember watching the Academy Awards and not knowing ANY movie that was mentioned. I would just vote for the ones I thought looked cool or had a particular actor. Now, I try to watch all the nominees and form my own speculations as to who should win what and why.

Let me start by saying that Slumdog Millionaire has definitely gotten it's fair share of Oscars that are very well-deserved. Danny Boyle is one of my favorite directors and he did an excellent job. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button did excellently in the art department what with visual effects, makeup, costumes, and what have you. Dark Knight did well in sound and congrats to Heath Ledger, sorry you weren't there to accept it.

I'm happy to say that I actually know what is going on this year at the 2009 Academy Awards. Go Slumdog Millionaire! You've definitely deserved everything you've won!

February 15, 2009

Top 10 Greatest Romantic Moments

Happy (belated) Valentines Day!

I can't help but be a girl, even when I am watching a romance movie. I'm not saying I don't enjoy your typical action film, especially the really cheesy ones where everything appears improbable, but I have a soft side. So in the spirit of a belated Valentine's Day I am going to put my Top 10 Greatest Romantic Moments.

10. Pocahontas (1995)
The part that really just gets to me is when they are about to execute John Smith and Pocahontas throws herself onto him. It's a really short clip and the song they sing is titled "savages". But for a more romantic scene is when she goes to visit him and he says, "I'd rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you." That is definitely a killer.

9. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Of course this is on my list! Shakespeare was one of the most romantic people in the history of literature! The entire MOVIE is romantic! But what makes my heart swell with happiness is the part where they first meet and they have the little Hand Sonnet and then they go kiss in the elevator. The violin and the quick cuts of the hands caressing each other with the soft gold lighting is just beautiful. Then Leo says, "Did my heart love 'til now? Forswear its sight. For I never saw true beauty 'til this night."

8. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tim Burton may be commended for his artistic ability but I think it's his way of weaving in subtle tender love. It's almost innocent, especially with someone as naive as Edward. However, this movie would always bring a tear to my eye when Edward tells Kim "goodbye" and she kisses him and says "I love you." The music picks up as he closes his eyes as though it was what he was waiting to hear his whole life. It's a bittersweet ending and just perfection in my opinion.

7. Amelie (2001)
The whole movie is about a girl pursuing a life making everyone else around her happy when she is in love but can't bring herself to helping her own problems. When Amelie and Nino finally get together at the end, there is a great montage of them riding on his moped through the city of Paris just goofing around and at one point they make a face at the camera. What I think really touches me is the part where she buries her face in his shoulder and closes her eyes, as though there's no other place she would rather be.

6. Fight Club (1999)
Not your typical love story but it's there. And the thing I found really sweet was the very end when "Where Is My Mind" by the Pixies starts up and the building explodes and Marla steps closer to our hero and they hold hands. It's a very childish but sweet thing to do and it turns their lusty relationship into something more. Whether they live or die is up to the viewer to decide. I like the elusiveness of the ending and the fact that it's Helena Bonham Carter and Ed Norton, some of my favorite peeps. And yes, I actually found a picture of the scene I love.

5. Penelope (2006)
This movie may be on the lists very often but it's just such an amazing thing to watch, even if you don't want to listen to it. I mean, the acting isn't Golden-Globe-worthy and the script isn't Shakespeare, but it's just beautiful to watch. I am a big sucker for kisses in movies where they just pop out of nowhere and the person is caught off guard. And then they play "Hoppipolla" by Sigur Ros and it's just one of the best kiss scenes in my opinion. And I'm surprised I found a picture for this too.

4. Moulin Rouge (2001)
Another Baz Lurhman movie, go figure. There are multiple parts in this movie that could fill a book with their cheesy romance but I like something a little more subtle. There is a part where they make an excuse to go offstage and sneak up a staircase where they start kissing. Then he says "tonight? You promise you'll be there?" and she says, "yes, now go!" What I love is that his face is covered in lipstick and he's giddy like a puppy and she just laughs and smiles at him. It's such a sweet moment between them.

3. Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
This scene that I'm about to put down doesn't even have the main characters interacting with each other but I love it. In the beginning of the movie when Meg Ryan is driving home and listening to the radio station, she hears Tom Hanks talking about his wife and that whole conversation is just the sweetest thing ever. If I ever died, I'd want my husband to think of me like that. The part I love is when the radio host goes, "Tell me, what was so special about your wife?" and Tom Hanks says, "Well, how long is your program? Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were suppose to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic." God, that is seriously the most amazing thing anyone could ever say about anyone.

2. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
I have to say, I put off watching this movie for a very long time. I don't know why, I just wasn't interested I suppose. But this movie has changed the way I feel about true love. When Harry finds Sally at the New Years Eve party and proclaims his love for her, it's the best ending to a romantic comedy. Let's just say, if a guy were ever to say that to me, I'd be putty in his hands. Here's the direct quote: "I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

1. PS I Love You (2007)
Okay, I'm going to admit shamelessly that I bawl like a baby when I watch this movie. I just know that if my husband died, I would be the same exact way. I can't even count on my fingers the scenes that induce tears. There's the part where they snuggle after their fight, the part where she pictures seeing him around the apartment getting ready for work, the part where she calls his voicemail to hear his voice, the part where he sings to her on the night they met...the list goes on. But I can't seem to get through the part where she goes to sing karaoke and she looks over at the crowd and instead of everyone there, he's sitting alone staring at her and she's singing just for him. And since it's my number one moment, I'll put a video because I can't find a picture. Unfortunately the only video I can post is in Spanish. But the singing and important part is in English! So feel free skip ahead and watch it over and over and over and over.




So that is my list and I hope you enjoy it. If you haven't seen these movies, they're highly suggestible and I hope you aren't mad at me if they're not up your alley.

Happy Birthday Chris Farley!

Today we celebrate the life of Chris Farley. Farley brought us some of the greatest comedies of my generation. His wonderfully exuberant nature and brilliant on-screen presence is remarkably unique and will be truly missed.

Some of Farley's best moments were part of Saturday Night Live including an overenthusiastic Bears fan, a terrible Chippendale's dancer, a Japanese gameshow contestant, Matt Foley, or Bennette Brauer a man who doesn't "wipe properly" or can't "reach all the parts of his body."

Of course, Farley's stint on SNL wasn't his only claim to fame. Farley did very well for himself in theaters with classics such as Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, and Beverly Hills Ninja. But let's never forget his bit parts in Billy Madison as the pervy bus driver with a terrible comb over and in Coneheads as Connie's boyfriend Ronnie.

My life is a little sadder knowing we'll never have a new Chris Farley movie out in theaters, another classic line delivered by a comic genius, someone I can quote over and over with my closest friends as inside jokes. My love goes out to you Chris, wherever you may be, in hopes that you're in a better place.



"I have what doctors call a little bit of a weight problem. I used to grab bear claws as a kid, two at a time, and I'd get them lodged right in this region here."
-Chris Farley, Tommy Boy

February 4, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


Happy 69th Birthday to George A. Romero!

He has blessed the silver screen with such classics like Night of the Living Dead, Day of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and Land of the Dead. His creations have haunted our dreams and inspired many hit movies of today. (Although, in my humble opinion he's lost his touch with Diary of the Dead, which, let's face it, should have been axed before it was shot.)

Thanks Georgie!