The Fall

For the past six months, I have been hearing plenty of things about this movie called The Fall. I heard most of the information from my classmates and I would always pass by it in the new section at Blockbuster, but as my hand would hover over it, I would just skip to my next rental. Then I heard that it was directed by the guy who did The Cell, Tarsem Singh. If you recall The Cell, it had Jennifer Lopez and Vince Vaughn. The movie may have been a flop, but you can't deny its amazingly beautiful visual aspects. The movie is a piece of art.

Well, now we have The Fall.

The Fall, starring Lee Pace from Pushing Daisies, tells the story about a little girl stumbles upon an injured man who begins to weave a great tale to get on the girl's good side so that she will steal drugs for him. The story he tells is an amazing journey around the world. The film was shot on 26 locations over 18 countries. What I find amazing about this film, though, is the lack of CGI and how Tarsem was able to find these locations that really do exist. Also, the little girl in the film, Cantinca Untaru, is basically the most amazing actress in the world. She blows me away and I cannot comprehend how believable she is in the film. And Lee Pace will bring you to tears. Watch it. I promise you'll appreciate something completely underrated that has gone under the radar.

(500) days of Summer

It should be no secret that I am absolutely in love with Zooey Deschanel. However, that doesn't mean that I watch every single movie she's been in. Despite my lack of interest in her movies among those include The Go-Getter, The Good Life, or Winter Passing, I've had my fair share of her movies and needless to say, I'm still excited for whatever she's got going on. Her latest film, which has been critically acclaimed at film festivals, is called (500) Days of Summer.

The tagline reads, "Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn't." In this romantic comedy, a boy falls in love with the ultimate commitment-phobe and tries to convince her that true love exists. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, their second film together, and directed by Marc Webb who's previous experience includes music videos (this is his first feature film), it looks amazing. Synchronized dancing, partly animated, and amazing music choice, this film seems to be quintessentially Tea (me).

Guess the Birthday Boy!

Happy 46th Birthday Mr. Tarantino!

You have given us such great films like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, etc. The list can go on and on and each one is a classic. Every line you write can be quoted and used in nearly everyday life. I know that in my classes professors may bash you and say that you steal from other directors, but these days, EVERYONE steals and they're stupid not to. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I adore your movies and I cannot wait to see Inglorious Basterds. You are the master of dialogue and I love your passion for movies and I eagerly await anything else you have coming out. Enjoy your night with your fancy champagne and crazy bets.

Here is what I call a celebration clip from (my absolute favorite segment) your very own Four Rooms:




And a quote from one of his best characters...

"Three tomatoes are walking down the street- a poppa tomato, a momma tomato, and a little baby tomato. Baby tomato starts lagging behind. Poppa tomato gets angry, goes over to the baby tomato, and smooshes him... and says, Catch up."
- Mia Wallace, Pulp Fiction

New Trailers!!!

Here are 2 movies I that am really excited to bring to you their trailers. Both are films that may be intended for children but ones that adults will enjoy.

Firstly, we have all been hearing all the rave about the new Disney/Pixar film, Up. It follows the tale of an elderly man attaching a billion balloons to his house and flying around the world. My FAVORITE part of this trailer that made me laugh about as hard as a Jim Carrey film. It's literally one word that starts making my stomach hurt appearing at about 1 minute and 23 seconds into the trailer. Up stars Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer.



Second, we have Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are. My generation grew up with the book by Maurice Sendak. It stars Forest Whitaker, Catherine Keener, Paul Dano, James Gandolfini, and Catherine O'Hara. You can find me in line September 20 waiting for this movie. Plus, music selection...icing on the cake. Amazing.

Movie Review: Watchmen

Last night at the midnight showing of Zack Snyder's Watchmen in downtown Disney, I attending the semi-crowded theater with six other people in my group. I was excited to see this film during the last couple weeks, but when I first saw the preview, I wasn't too ticked to watch it. Since I like to think that I'm a connoisseur of movie trailers, it wasn't executed that well. The trailer, like the movie, was all over the place.

Needless to say, as I sat in the theater for the first few minutes and opening credits, I thought to myself, "oh shit, this is going to have some GREAT action scenes." And I was right. The action scenes were amazing and visually amazing. Also, the BEST soundtrack I've heard to a superhero movie. And I loved the theme of the decaying superhero. It was something that we need to be exposed to, kind of like an homage to the old Batman comics in the 1930s, where instead of being given this perfect Superman, we have a dark ordinary man with a terrible past who's more of a vigilante than a hero. Watchmen does just that. It exposes the corruption of the masked men humanity trust their lives to. However, near the end of the movie we get a lot of background story (A LOT) and it gets more philosophical and kind of silly with the intensely vulgar sex scenes (which we could have done without.)

After watching the movie, I usually go onto imdb to see what people have thought. And I believe Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times stated it perfectly, "an adaptation that is more a prisoner of its story than the master of it." I believe Zack Snyder tried to keep true to it's fandom by keeping all the details and intricate background. I haven't read the graphic novel so I couldn't state that for sure, but it felt like it. I think this is the biggest fault of the film. Also the fact that I was sitting there and near the end was dying to look at the time because I felt the movie ran for over 4 hours. I usually never get that feeling...so it's not a good sign.

I give this movie a 7 out of 10, mostly because the action scenes were badass and because Rorschach was just the coolest person ever. However, they lose brownie points for being 3 hours long.

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.