Life Between Films

My Life Lately

What I Watched:

The Descendants: So, I guess I’m the only one in the world who thinks this movie is overrated? I will have to say that I had less than zero interest in ever seeing this movie. I decided to possibly watch it if it won Best Picture at the Oscars this year (but luckily it lost to the very worthy The Artist). But I found myself on a long international flights this week with not much of a selection of films on my personal monitor, so… The Descendants. The movie wasn’t a bad one at all; I just found it nothing super special. Yes, it was a solidly good story of a man coming to grips with his wife infidelity when he doesn’t have the benefit of confronting her as she is in a coma. Additionally, he is dealing with a decision about his family land that will affect his future and those around him forever. We witness some really touching moments between him and his kids and the closer he needs with his wife. I just have the impression that if George Clooney wasn’t in this movie, if someone else was in the lead role, this movie would have flown under the radar. Or maybe I’m missing something?

Big Fish: Yeah, it’s true. I had never seen this until this week. Another movie I saw while on an international flight back to the States. As I continue my exploration of Ewan McGregor movies after he stole my heart in last year’s movie Beginners, I just had to watch this one which has been touted as one of his best performances. The story follows a write (Bill Crudup) as he relives the stories, myths and tall tales of his dying father. What an very very odd (not surprising since it is a Tim Burton film) but very very good film. I actually saw alot similarities between Beginners and Big Fish - a moving exploration of a father-son relationship where the son comes to fully understand his father as a person right before he dies. McGregor switches roles between the two movies (playing the son in Beginners and the father at a younger age in Big Fish) but he succeeds in providing much of the heart in both. I’m not ashamed to admit that this movie made me cry.

Film-Inspired Theme Song:

“Leaving on a Jet Plane“/Chantel Kreviazuk (originally written by John Denver) from the movie Amageddon

This week (and the one before it) has been really hectic for me as I’ve been trying to NYC and Europe so this sound is fitting to represent my state of mine for the week. I’m finally home for awhile and can relax so I’m excited about that. Traveling takes alot out of you!

Movie Trailer of the Week:

Gangster Squad: You don’t know this about me but I am currently boycotting any film that Anthony Mackie is in. Why? Well, because he kinda ignored me (twice) when I saw him at Sundance, lol. Well, Mr. Mackie is smart. He jumped in a film of one of the only actors whose movies I can’t deny - Ryan Gosling (I kinda love him). Very smart man, indeed. I love that Ryan Gosling is going gangster. He has the looks for it, the swagger. The trailer has it all - a (scary) sinister Sean Penn, a reunion of Emma Stone and Gosling post-Crazy, Stupid, Love, the romanticism of the gangster era. I’m getting more excited by the minute.

Pop Culture Randomness:

o In perfect casting news, Andre 3000 will be stepping in as Jimi Hendrix in an upcoming biopic though apparently, as of right now, the film can’t use any original Hendrix music
o Apparently, Quentin Tarentino is having trouble keeping a cast together for his upcoming film, Django Unchained; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kurt Russell, and Sasha Baron Cohen have all dropped out of the project. Knowing QT though, he’ll pull it together
o Joss Whedon, the creator behind awesome TV shows like Buffy and Firefly and now the director of the record-breaking Avengers movie, lists his favorite Buffy episodes

Film-Inspired Fashion Moment:

A new photo for the upcoming film Ruby Sparks hit the internet this week and with it, we get to see more what will sure to be a very cute, sweet, and whimsical movie (can’t wait). I’m loving the bright orange dress with the auburn hair on Zoe Kazan; it comes off as very striking and something that I’m sure tells us alot of about Ruby’s character.

Independent Spirit Awards: Seth Rogen’s Opening Monologue

Last night was the annual Indie Spirit Awards, and if you missed it, rest assured; we all know the open monologue sets the tone for the whole award show. Having Seth Rogen host, well, its a crap shoot between weed-ladden humor or sincere comedic moments. Watch the opening monologue and judge for yourself:

It was filled with highs and lows (which Seth humorously acknowledges), but had some great laugh-out-loud moments for me.

If you’re curious about the winners and speeches from the night, see them here.

SAG Awards: What I Learned

1. Let Viola Davis make all the speeches: The woman is a class act. Since the start of this awards season, she has given some of the most beautifully crafted acceptance speeches as she carts off Lead Actress awards for The Help. Her words can inspire anyone. To those expecting to win on Oscar night: pull Viola on stage with you and let her do all the talking. To all those who want to see past evidence of her powerful acting abilities, see Doubt (her one major scene defines the whole movie).

2. Maybe I should give French men a chance: Here’s a secret for you - I have an thing for European men, specifically Spanish and British men (it’s the accents!). But after being exposed to the charm of Jean Dujardin of The Artist in the last few months, maybe I have overlooked what all Europe has to offer. Bonus: I was flipping through the recent GQ and saw his debonair photo spread. Oui, oui.

3. The trio of Wiig, Rudolph, and McCarthy continue to bring the laughs: My best laugh of the night came when the Bridesmaids stars introduced their cast for the Best Ensemble In Film award. When they walk on stage carting alcohol, you already knew it was going to be good.

4. Brad and George are smooth operators: You know who I’m talking about - Pitt and Clooney. The ultimate bro-migos. I don’t think its a secret how far up on the A-list they are yet they continue to be present at award shows, even smaller less prestigious ones like the SAG awards (let’s face it, it’s not the Golden Globes or Oscars). The case can be made that they are nominated and that’s why they are there but not everyone shows up (talking to you, DiCaprio!). However, I read/hear reports all the time on how gracious they are with fans and how friendly they are with everyone no matter who you are so they are aces in my book.

5. Movies definitely trumped TV this year: Maybe I’m missing something but the only show that was nominated in any category that I actually watch is “Dexter” and “Glee”, both of which I think had lackluster seasons this past year. I totally gave up on “The Office” once Steve Carrell left. I’ll give it up to “Breaking Bad” and “Modern Family”, which I hear are fan favorites but what about “Homeland”, “New Girl”? And don’t let me get started on the injustice that is the brilliant and underrated “Fringe”. Let’s get some new blood in the mix, people.

If you are curious on the complete list of winners, see it here.

SAG Nominations (Commentary)

Okay, so the nominations for the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced today. Being the cinephile that I am, I have a couple of comments on the nominations in the movie categories:

1. Best ensemble cast (The Artist, Bridesmaids, The Descendants, The Help, Midnight in Paris): I’ve seen the majority of these films and my money is on Bridesmaids. I didn’t really want to see this when it came out (I contend that the trailer is not funny in the least) but this movie got me at the opening scene (hello, John Hamm). It has both appealed to the masses as well as the critics, and the casting in this ensemble was dead on. Runner up for me is The Help for the female bond the actors fostered on screen in this very important story.

2. Best actor (Demian Bichir, A Better Life, George Clooney, The Descendants, Leo DiCaprio, J Edgar, Jean Dujardin, The Artist, Brad Pitt, Moneyball). This could go either way. There are alot of favorites and repeat offenders in this category including Clooney, Pitt, and DiCaprio. Also there is alot of buzz around Dujardin. I can’t call this one but I do have one question. No Joseph Gordon-Levitt for 50/50? Or Ryan Gosling for Drive?

3. Best actress (Glenn Closs, Albert Nobbs, Viola Davis, The Help, Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady, Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk about Kevin, Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn). If Viola Davis doesn’t sweep this category at all the upcoming awards shows, people need to get their head examined. Meryl Streep, beware.

4. Best supporting actor (Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn, Armie Hammer, J Edgar, Jonah Hill, Moneyball, Nick Nolte, Warrior, Christopher Plummer, Beginners). I loved Beginners, probably my favorite film this year, so I’m really pulling for Christopher Plummer getting this. And I think he has a great chance. But I hope that this sheds light on this underrated gem of a movie.

5. Best supporting actress (Berenice Bejo, The Artist, Jessica Chastain, The Help, Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids, Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs, Octavia Spencer, The Help). Two words - Melissa McCarthy. When she threw her leg up and slapped her thigh on the airplane, I always died. If she was running for president I would vote for her.

High-bro (Pop culture)

Between the newest issues of GQ magazine and Details, there was much fun reading for me on the plane to San Antonio today (side note: it is cold as balls here in San Antonio right now!). Yes, I’m a girl that reads men magazines. Ladies, you should try it sometime. Beautiful pictures of attractive, stylish men and thought-provoking, witty articles. Win, win.

And with that, I always learn something new in the pages of men magazines, especially where pop culture is concerned. Apparently there is some rise in the sub-culture of the “high-bro”. It’s the year of the high-bro, didn’t you know? I guess I realized it, just didn’t have a name for it. “High-bro” is supposedly where the “bro” culture (think high adrenaline action flicks, comic books, sports) meet the more “highbrow” (think classical music, literature, arthouse films). And of course, GQ runs down some of “the stuff the high-bro likes”. I loved it (does that make me a high-bro? high-broette?). Here are some of my favorites straight from the GQ list with [my own comments] focusing on, you guessed it, all things indie:

Aaron Sorkin. Wins screenwriting Oscar for Facebook movie. Nails self-aware walk- and-talk cameo on 30 Rock. Pulls off Moneyball for the big screen. A colossus. [the high-bro we can only hope to channel when we ~~put pen to paper~~ open up our Macbooks]
Bridesmaids. Funny movie, with funny women in it! Note to high-bros: Enjoying it does not retroactively confer a women’s studies degree from Smith. [the movie the high-bro was initially ashamed that they wanted to see but ended up loving]