91. Smoking week for medicinal purposes is sociably acceptable… even in cinematic reality. Also, it’s so much easier to get your stoner best friend to tell off your horrible significant other for you.[50/50]
92.You just can’t trust doctors. [The Good Doctor]
93. It can be all too convenient to avoid emotional attachments but being connected to others only makes us better people. [Detachment]
94. Being the maid of honor for your frenemy while you’re in love with the groom is just… awkward. Oh, and resist the temptation to try on a wedding dress that’s not yours. [The Romantics]
95. Letting someone else into your relationship is just asking for trouble. [The Freebie]
96. Watch out for those who are trying to change who you are. [The Shape of Things]
97. As the saying goes, it is better to have loved and lost as to never to have loved at all; it changes you for the better. [Mercy]
98. Take responsibilities for your actions no matter how easy it would be to get away with it. [The High Cost of Living]
99. Our minds can play tricks on us to protect us. [Keane]
100. The unexplainable can terrorize, influence, and invoke us to question our perception of reality. [Take Shelter]
I love a good psychological thriller that allows you to decipher what is real and what is not or leave you to wonder if there is a true reality in the story at all. In honor of the release of Danny Boyle’s Trance, which sets prominently on my must watch list, here are some movies I endorse skewed toward independent cinema. Of course there are the standby favorites that everyone knows like The Matrix, Inception, Memento (again, my favorite movie ever) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but here are some ones that may be alittle less known. I also took some inspiration from a fellow blogger Mette and her ongoing series to present them to you:
The Machinist (Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh) emaciation ● guilt ● hallucinations
The Nines (Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy) escapism ● fantasy ● multiple lives
Thanks to Andrew at Encore for reviving his wet blogathan. The whole idea of cinematic wetness sounded interesting so I decided to take part. The objective here was to pick a single scene from any film that showcased rain and used it as an important moment for the story. I just had to choose the ending to the Woody Allen’s film Midnight in Paris (2012 Oscar winner for best original screenplay). Allen has become really great at paying homage to beautiful cities around the world and this film is no exception. This scene in particular played on the adage of the beauty of Paris in the rain.
To me, the rain here represents rebirth and a new beginning that is sweet and touching for Owen Wilson’s character Gil. Gil is a man that has forever lived in the past, yearning to be apart of decades long ao that he has always viewed as better than his own. The end of the film begins this discovery that life is best lived in the present and could possibly hold just as much wonder and enjoyment. In this cinematic moment, Gil decides to take a chance on a potentially new love. It’s a simple yet beautiful scene to watch unfold.
Gil: “Can I walk with you, or I’ll buy you a cup of coffee or… Oh, ok, now it’s starting to rain” Gabriella: “No, but that’s okay. I don’t mind getting wet.” Gil: “Really?” Gabriella: “Yeah. Actually, Paris is the most beautiful in the rain”
The list continues of some of the things I have learned over the years from watching independent films. Life is reflected in film after all…
11. You can’t hide in memories forever. Also, opposites often do attract. Oh, and changing your hair color with your mood just may be the way to go. [Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind] 12. Even demigods could use some time off. [The Nines] 13. Don’t even try to “keep up with the Joneses”. You will never be able to. [The Joneses]
14. Playing the “what if” game gets you nowhere. What happened has happened and may have happened regardless. [Another Earth] 15. You exist where you want to exist. [The Jacket] 16. If you want something from the universe, just ask for it, and then say thank you. Plus, you just can’t “adopt” any kid you find on the subway. [Happythankyoumoreplease] 17. Never get into gambling, especially betting on horse races. Also, it takes a special kind of guy to pull off a sweater vest. [Lucky Number Slevin]
18. You can’t split yourself into two; just make a decision and stick with it. Plus, yellow and green are both really dynamic colors. [Uncertainty] 19. Everything worth saying is best said through poetry. [Love Jones] 20. Never knock classified ads placed in your local Pennysaver-like periodicals. [Juno]
More to come…
Detachment/Trailer for one of my favorite movies from Tribeca Fest 2011. This film stars Adrian Brody as a substitute teacher who conveniently avoids any emotional connections by never staying anywhere long enough to form a bond with either his students or colleagues. He finds himself at a new but all too familiar public school dealing with students who don’t care and teachers who have given up. But it is here that he comes to open himself up to those around him and decide to no longer be so detached. Though this has been receiving mixed reviews, I loved the mock-documentary style approach and emotional honesty from the cast (welcome back, Adrian; where have you been?) and director Tony Kaye (American History X). Detachment is currently playing On Demand. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
