100 Films Project! Jul 26th - Aug 15th
+7 Films: #88. Interview (2007), #89. Applaus (2009), #90. Antonia (1995), #91. Hidden Places (2006), #92. Goldfish Memory (2003), #93. Did You Hear About The Morgans? (2009), and #94. Cemetery Junction (2010).
interview (2007)+
3/10 ***
Plot: After falling out with his editor, a fading political journalist is forced to interview America's most popular soap actress.
Oh, Lord... How should I even begin to approach this sad "attempt" to wow? Well, for one, the script couldn't have been thinner. The so-called twist could have been spotted from kilometers away. (Seriously, could an experienced journalist *not* have caught it? Or vice-versa for that matter. It didn't take a genius. That was a bit cryptic. Sorry, I'm trying not to spoil anyone here. Even 'though it's a 2007 film.) The characters were beyond stereotypical, and it goes on. I dig Buscemi (and he and Sienna did well with what they got, truth be told), but... no. Just no.
applaus (2009)+
5/10 *****
Plot: When the critically acclaimed, tough and coming of age actress Thea Barfoed ends her rehab, she confronts a hard choice. During her heavy drinking period she divorced and lost custody of her two boys. Now she wants them to be a part of her life again. Christian, her ex husband is quickly softened by her tough manipulative but charming figure and agrees. She has to prove to her self and to him, that she is worth the try. But the hard life on stage, and the ghosts of the past slowly comes knocking on her door. Thea is forced to face her inner voices. She is bound to give in to her faith, and make the choice.
Could have been better. The plot sounded good and showed potential, but -- despite a great performance from the lead actress -- the film just doesn't seem to grip. It gets tedious pretty fast to be frank. I must commend the person(s) responsible for the sound mixing, 'though. Remarkable.
antonia (1995)+
7/10 *******
Plot: A Dutch matron establishes and, for several generations, oversees a close-knit, matriarchal community where feminism and liberalism thrive.
What a charming "little" (merely a term of endearment) film! Really, this is what great films are all about! A greatly-told story about regular folks, leading regular lives, but that still manages to capture, move, and captivate. There's nothing left to be said. Just watch it :)
hidden places (2006)+
3/10 ***
Plot: A drama about a young widow who finds a guardian angel in the form of a hobo who comes to her rural community looking for work.
Your typical Hallmark melodramatic romance. Saying that you already know the whole story.
goldfish memory (2003)+
6/10 ******
Plot: A light-hearted look at the dangers and delights of dating in contemporary Dublin.
This is what all rom-coms should look like. I'm already partial to films that separate segments of people whilst telling the story, and then having them all (or at least the majority of them) cross paths one way or another (think Love Actually -- one of my favourites). So, it already pleased with that. But it's so much more. The characters are likeable, the script is rather good, the scenery is spectacular, the story grips and interests, all the segments are appealing, and it has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard. I mean, throw Damien Rice and Bossa Nova into a bow... the only outcome possible is EPIC win! I won't even mention how nice was to hear him singing in Portuguese once more -- 'cause I already had the soundtrack since its release -- (oops... guess I just did)! Anyhow, totally rec it!
did you hear about the morgans (2009)+
4/10 ****
Plot: In New York City, an estranged couple who witness a murder are relocated to small-town Wyoming as part of a witness-protection program.
Entirely predictable (from start to finish, plus everything in between), but I kinda liked it. It was an enjoyable experience, albeit unremarkable.
cemetery junction (2010)+
7/10 *******
Plot: 70's England is in full swing as three outcast friends find themselves drinking, joking, fighting and chasing girls, while dreaming of escape from their blue-collar hometown of Cemetery Junction. Freddie is a salesman suddenly thrown onto the fast track when he gains the attention of his boss, Mr. Kendrick. Torn between a prior life of partying with his friends and the promise of a brighter future, life gets more complicated when the boss's daughter becomes the focus of Freddie's affection.
Loved it! Period. Well, exclamation point! Once again, wanting to get the hell out of your hometown is a film topic I quite enjoy. However, this film is a bit more than that. It has all these other nuances, and tangled feelings (or sorrows, if you will) that come together quite nicely. Plus, you get to have nice humourous moments as well. After all, this *is* Gervais's "baby". And don't get me started on the cast... Fiennes, Gervais, Goode, Watson, Jones, Cooke... Stellar! *Beautiful* photography... I was tempted to give it an 8, but I got myself together *lol* It has flaws, especially fantasy-land syndrome, besides some hard-to-avoid clichés, but in the end they don't really matter. 'Cause the whole is way more than the sum of its flawed parts. I should shut up ;D
interview (2007)+
3/10 ***
Plot: After falling out with his editor, a fading political journalist is forced to interview America's most popular soap actress.
Oh, Lord... How should I even begin to approach this sad "attempt" to wow? Well, for one, the script couldn't have been thinner. The so-called twist could have been spotted from kilometers away. (Seriously, could an experienced journalist *not* have caught it? Or vice-versa for that matter. It didn't take a genius. That was a bit cryptic. Sorry, I'm trying not to spoil anyone here. Even 'though it's a 2007 film.) The characters were beyond stereotypical, and it goes on. I dig Buscemi (and he and Sienna did well with what they got, truth be told), but... no. Just no.
applaus (2009)+
5/10 *****
Plot: When the critically acclaimed, tough and coming of age actress Thea Barfoed ends her rehab, she confronts a hard choice. During her heavy drinking period she divorced and lost custody of her two boys. Now she wants them to be a part of her life again. Christian, her ex husband is quickly softened by her tough manipulative but charming figure and agrees. She has to prove to her self and to him, that she is worth the try. But the hard life on stage, and the ghosts of the past slowly comes knocking on her door. Thea is forced to face her inner voices. She is bound to give in to her faith, and make the choice.
Could have been better. The plot sounded good and showed potential, but -- despite a great performance from the lead actress -- the film just doesn't seem to grip. It gets tedious pretty fast to be frank. I must commend the person(s) responsible for the sound mixing, 'though. Remarkable.
antonia (1995)+
7/10 *******
Plot: A Dutch matron establishes and, for several generations, oversees a close-knit, matriarchal community where feminism and liberalism thrive.
What a charming "little" (merely a term of endearment) film! Really, this is what great films are all about! A greatly-told story about regular folks, leading regular lives, but that still manages to capture, move, and captivate. There's nothing left to be said. Just watch it :)
hidden places (2006)+
3/10 ***
Plot: A drama about a young widow who finds a guardian angel in the form of a hobo who comes to her rural community looking for work.
Your typical Hallmark melodramatic romance. Saying that you already know the whole story.
goldfish memory (2003)+
6/10 ******
Plot: A light-hearted look at the dangers and delights of dating in contemporary Dublin.
This is what all rom-coms should look like. I'm already partial to films that separate segments of people whilst telling the story, and then having them all (or at least the majority of them) cross paths one way or another (think Love Actually -- one of my favourites). So, it already pleased with that. But it's so much more. The characters are likeable, the script is rather good, the scenery is spectacular, the story grips and interests, all the segments are appealing, and it has one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard. I mean, throw Damien Rice and Bossa Nova into a bow... the only outcome possible is EPIC win! I won't even mention how nice was to hear him singing in Portuguese once more -- 'cause I already had the soundtrack since its release -- (oops... guess I just did)! Anyhow, totally rec it!
did you hear about the morgans (2009)+
4/10 ****
Plot: In New York City, an estranged couple who witness a murder are relocated to small-town Wyoming as part of a witness-protection program.
Entirely predictable (from start to finish, plus everything in between), but I kinda liked it. It was an enjoyable experience, albeit unremarkable.
cemetery junction (2010)+
7/10 *******
Plot: 70's England is in full swing as three outcast friends find themselves drinking, joking, fighting and chasing girls, while dreaming of escape from their blue-collar hometown of Cemetery Junction. Freddie is a salesman suddenly thrown onto the fast track when he gains the attention of his boss, Mr. Kendrick. Torn between a prior life of partying with his friends and the promise of a brighter future, life gets more complicated when the boss's daughter becomes the focus of Freddie's affection.
Loved it! Period. Well, exclamation point! Once again, wanting to get the hell out of your hometown is a film topic I quite enjoy. However, this film is a bit more than that. It has all these other nuances, and tangled feelings (or sorrows, if you will) that come together quite nicely. Plus, you get to have nice humourous moments as well. After all, this *is* Gervais's "baby". And don't get me started on the cast... Fiennes, Gervais, Goode, Watson, Jones, Cooke... Stellar! *Beautiful* photography... I was tempted to give it an 8, but I got myself together *lol* It has flaws, especially fantasy-land syndrome, besides some hard-to-avoid clichés, but in the end they don't really matter. 'Cause the whole is way more than the sum of its flawed parts. I should shut up ;D